2019-12-31 - Gatsby Ball New Year's Eve Party

Rebecca Carr is here, to assist her employer as needed. She moves through the crowds, making note of the who's who attending, to let Vyv know whom to schmooze if he so desires. She is avoiding food and alcohol for the moment, keeping her wits about her. It's a work function for her.

The personal assistant is wearing a beautifully beaded sheer Gatsby era design in aqua blue with silver accents, over a white slip dress. The designs are floral-feeling, and fringe falls off the bottom in blue and silver sections like arrow points, swaying with her every motion. A silvery cabaret flapper fringe party cap and silver shoes complete the outfit. Her hair has been left to go curly. (Dress: https://tinyurl.com/y6tnemgn Headpiece: https://tinyurl.com/yxcnoxoz)

Eli and Genevieve Blake enter, arm in arm, gazing around at the decorations and the various people gathered. They're matching, he in a dark suit with a bright red bow tie, and her in a backless red dress, beaded and short. They make their way to a table, grabbing drinks along the way, greeting people quietly. They find their table, take a seat and people watch while they sip at the champagne that they managed to get their hands on.

As a member of the Historical Society and having volunteered on the more charitable endeavors, Isabella is already here, fussing over the donations box and the paperwork therein. The green-eyed archaeologist appears to have followed the suggestions of a certain Anne Washburn with her attire, opting for a gender-swapped 1920's gangster's suit, her reluctance to wear skirts and dresses translating even to here. She wears a collared, sleeveless shirt tucked in a fitted waistcoat that matches her slacks, her slim, bare arms embellished in the wrists by separated cuffs fastened to her limbs by silver cufflinks. Her pinstriped burgundy slacks are fitted on the waist and hips, draping loose down her legs and she's got a woman's fedora pinned to the dark chocolate loops her hair has been fashioned in, set in a tilted angle close to her forehead. While not the sort to wear accessories, there are a few on her person this evening - the moonstone pendant glitters an iridescent pale blue against her predominantly white shirt, the vintage drop earrings that Lilith Winslow gifted to her for Christmas. Cosmetics are, as always, minimal, with just enough eyeliner to accentuate and enhance the shape and color of her eyes, but tonight sees her carrying the very rare presence of wine red lipstick.

Over the left white cuff she wears is also a new addition - a charm bracelet set with three dandelion charms that has become a permanent part of her day-to-day since receiving it from her present companion. She keeps by the taller shadow of one Alexander Clayton, dressed as impeccably as the occasion and his sensitivities would allow. "There, I think..." She sets the holder for pens next to the clipboards. "Alright, done!" She flashes an effervescent smile up at the investigator. "I think it's time for a drink." Green-gold eyes wander up and down how he's dressed, before she dramatically presses a hand to her heart and tilts sideways in a swoon. "You know, I'm certain quite a few would just consider this absurd bias on my part, but I think the hat is absolutely unfair." Her hand lifts to delicately adjust the angle of the Panama hat sitting on top of his head. "Perfect," she murmurs.

August is in a white tuxedo jacket with black, notched lapels, a crisp, white dress shirt, black tuxedo pants, and a long, ash gray tie with a subtle floral pattern woven into it. It's a stark look on him, since he's usually in something more colorful, and has the effect of making him look not quite so tall from a distance. He's still moving stiff and hesitant, and unlike other people won't feel the least bit stuffy as the night goes on. He's eyeing the flowers critically for the tenth time, making sure they all arrived in good order and were set up properly, etc.

A punctual sort of person, Leon would have shown up pretty much on time, date willing and arm in arm. Hair slicked back in the 20's style, though alot less greasy looking, he is dressed in a clean, stylish tux, a silver tie tucked under the pointed collar to match the blonde that accompanies him. The black of the suit does little but emphasize his height, but the clean lines soften the bulk of his shoulders. Blue eyes sweep the room for anyone he recognizes, and he's quick to flag down a server for drinks, securing himself something dark and amber, and obviously letting his lady choose whatever she wants, opening a tab on both their behalves.

Eleanor enters with August and she is wearing a complimentary outfit. She's in a 1920s Flapper 'carwash hem' beaded starlet dress in white, with black and gold beading and accents. The designs are art deco inspired with a gold banded, pearl and rhinestone headband in the Gatsby 'Daisy' style and black shoes. Her hair is in a thick braid wound around her head and pinned carefully. (Dress:https://tinyurl.com/y5odv2dd Headpiece: https://tinyurl.com/y5hwoa94)

She donated the coffee and tea service for the night, and gives her employees manning the station, Delia and Laine, a bright smile and a wave. "They really went all out for this, didn't they?" she murmurs to August.

Having been here since way before this party got started, Patrick has made the rounds with most of the notoriously generous donators, shaking hands and talking about all the repairs that had to be done to the house after the disastrous tree-trimming party. And yes, it is wonderful that they were able to work so quickly, "But quick, quality work doesn't come cheaply, as I'm sure you know." He's said that about nine times in the last twenty minutes, and it's wearing.

So, after a handshake that seems endless, he detaches himself and collects two flutes of champagne. He's wearing vintage black-and-white, because tuxedos are easy. Anne, unto whom he delivers the second glass, looks much prettier - but we'll leave that for her to describe. "I think," with a tip of his head Clarissa's way, "that we might be able to risk a 'hello' before she gets herself mobbed again."

A group of four, Beth, Stephanie, Hera, and Ciprian, filter into Addington house to join the party. Beth is wearing a art deco inspired jade green cocktail dress with an overlay of black beading. Her long black hair has been put into an updo that gives the illusion of being bobbed. A long strand of pearls around her neck and t-strap shoes completes the look. The black-rimmed glasses have been replaced with contact lenses so she can show off the anachronistic jade glitter cut-crease eye makeup. However her dark red lipstick is spot on in it's cupid's bow shape. "It looks great in here." She observes quietly to the other three, and her head turns quickly as she tries to take it all in at once.

Alexander's sensibilities, in this occasion, allow for quite a lot. He's wearing a pinstripe suit over a burgundy shirt; both have been tailored to fit his frame, and even to take into account his usual slumped frame. Under his jacket, there are black suspenders, and a black waistcoat. Someone's even managed to make him wear a tie, which is red with white slanted stripes, and tucked neatly under the waistcoat. His shoes are leather, polished to a high shine, and with white spats on the sides. Topping the outfit is a Panama hat in pale gray, with a dark red band, which has been pulled to a rakish angle over one eyebrow by his valiant companion. He pauses to look down at her and smile, and give her a bit of a wink. Even if he's sort of hiding behind her, letting her shield him from the whole 'social' thing as much as he can.

Eli doesn't go to a lot of parties. He doesn't really care to go to the coffee shop when five other people are in line at the same time, let alone this. So he doesn't look entirely comfortable and that would be pretty clear to see. He seems to take comfort in Eve's company and seems happy enough to let her take the lead while he manages the parse all the faces in the room and decide which corners would keep more than one person coming at him at once. Because, no doubt, he was going to be wildly popular.

Food is a good distraction between peering at faces. "Just wondering if we'll see anyone we know here tonight. Lived here long enough that I think it might count as sad if I don't know someone." He's saying to Eve while they walk.

Following Beth, Ciprian and Hera into the Addington House, Stephanie is wearing her hair in a classy updo, her black long coat hiding her 20s style red cocktail dress, black pumps on her feet, and black clutch in hand. She looks the furthest from her typical girl next door Plain Jane sort of look, having had the time at Beth’s to readjust her look and make it more polished. Taking in the surroundings and the decor, she simply looks in awe. “Wow.”

(Dress: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/103442122666876471/)

Justin Cooper arrives to the Gatsby Ball in a formal black and white tuxedo complete with white bowtie and waistcoat, black jacket with tails, black slacks, and polished oxford shoes. On his arm is Hyacinth Addington, like a deep emerald and onyx jewel, and he seems to be relaxed and in a pleasant mood for the evening. He has every ounce of his Hollywood charm on display this evening, not having been to a truly formal occasion since he'd relocated to Gray Harbor on a more permanent basis. As soon as they are inside, he seeks out drinks for the both of them, acquiring one for himself and whatever Hyacinth would like as well. Fortification before socialization.

Ciprian is not wearing a tux -- but he is wearing a very well-made and -tailored black suit, and to 20's it up a little bit, it's accompanied by a white vest and bow tie. So, while he may not be the most thematic attendee, he is at least looking quite sharp and certainly formal. "It does," he agrees with Beth as he looks around, taking in the decor, and also the people and their respective attire, since that's a good bit of the fun.

Maggi is holding onto Leon's arm wearing a short black beaded flapper dress. The neckline shows off a silver magpie necklace against her pale skin, with ornate pearl earrings visible when she pushes her vintage curls back. Even in heels she is small in comparison to her dates massive form, choosing to begin with one of the vintage house cocktails, perhaps watching the process so she can replicate them in the future at the Pourhouse.

Much like Patrick, Anne's been here since way before the party got started - them's the breaks when your date runs the party house. She is dressed far prettier than Patrick, in an ivory Art Deco flapper dress with a deep V neckline and a knee-length skirt dripping with beaded fringe; around her head is a strand of rhinestones with a starshaped brooch from which sprays a white ostrich feather (dress: https://tinyurl.com/y6tfyg4u). But, they make a rather fetching pair all things considered, and she's all smiles as Patrick comes back with her champagne. "Did you make sure to kiss all the babies?" she teases, looking out to spy the host of the evening before she curls her arm around Patrick. "Come on, we'll say hello to Clarissa and then find Isabella, she's got to be here by now."

Is it really smoking if it's part of a costume? Of course not!, Andy Géroux has decided, which is why he's got a cigarette case in one hand and an unlit Lucky Strike in the corner of his mouth. Then someone makes it very clear that party or not, smoking will not be tolerated inside and doing his best 'I'm putting this away by my own choice', Andy puts the cigarette back in the case and tucks it into his jacket. Other than the cigarette, Andy is wearing a blue wool suit, double breasted with a peak lapel, over a double breasted blue wool vest, buttoned high enough that only the knot of his black-striped maroon tie is visible between the pointed collars of his light blue French cuff dress shirt. In one of the two large patch pockets on the front of his jacket is a maroon pocket square decorated with little gold stars. And just to add a touch of Chicago to the New York scene he has a pair of large aviator sunglasses.

You can bet your gaspers & hayburners that Harry Sutton's at this event dressed in something vintage, beaded, already with giggle water in one hand, and bacon wrapped scallops in the other. Did you know you can carry toothpicked food like Freddie Krueger? Know your onions, ya ruebens. Course you can! Just takes a little practice.

This tomato wears a floor-length dress, ivory fabric in classic 20s shape, deep V-neck, and intricate hand-beading. Sutton sports a silver headband ornamented with beads and pearls. Her lips are painted a deep berry red, hair worn in a faux-bob. It's well-suited to a fancy party or a romantic wedding. (https://tinyurl.com/roaringsutton) She turns her head and says to a dapper gent nearby, "If you're not zozzled by midnight, I'm leaving with somebody else."

'Dapper' might be over-doing it. Carver's dressed as he ever is: Waistcoat, this time in a light gray with the slim tie and pants to match, coupled with a surprisingly ornate pair of silver cuff links adorning the for once unrolled sleeves of a plain white shirt. He's got a coffee. Like a chump, he's got a coffee.

He's also got an exasperated look, turning his head and narrowing his eyes in the beleaguered manner of a man repeatedly pushed up to his limit for a given day's worth of shenanigans. And this is Carver, he can take plenty of shenanigans. Only for a scant glimpse of a second does his eyeline drop below Sutton's chin. Sure, the deep V of her dress is right there, but the hand that snatches away one of her clawed aperitifs suggests his eyes focused somewhere else, popping the wrapped scallop into his mouth and shoving it to one side of his cheek to mumble out a "All day, love. You've been talking like this all day. Please tell me you're going to get bored of it soon."

There's few better themes than the Great Gatsby, and when Hera enters with her friends she can't help but 'wow' at the setting around her. Strange enough, she doesn't enter as if it was all that spur of the moment. Perhaps, in the back of her mind, she really wanted to come so here she is, dressed to show off the glitz and glamour of the 20s. Her hair is pulled back and around her forehead is a black and silver band holding a flower on the right side of her face. From there, a black feather poofs out to add to the flamboyance. The dress she wears is snug fitting and the bottom is black with frills reaching toward her knees. Then black silken gloves reach toward her elbow, not opera length, but close enough. All in all, she's nothing but happy smiles as she looks ready to enjoy the party. https://image.dhgate.com/0x0/f2/albu/g10/M01/59/C5/rBVaWVysEy2ANcgnAAM7_Ul144U620.jpg

Itzhak showed up in his steel-blue suit, paired with black shirt and a glittery silver tie. And glittery silver suspenders, shown when he takes his jacket off, and holographic glitter silver nail polish. His wild curly hair is slicked back, giving him a sleek and menacing air. How can the man rock nail polish and look menacing? It's just his style, baby. Not too much Roaring 20s about his look, but ask him if he cares. He's shown up with Ruiz, although there's no arm-in-arm action or anything salacious like that. Almost like the two of them are showing up stag. "Hell yeah youse look fantastic!" he yells across the room at August and Ellie, and Alexander and Isabella. Bex gets his hazel gaze trailing after her as she works the rounds.

"It is New Year's so of course there will be a countdown," Clarissa assures a passing flapper, turning to flash a smile at Isabella, "Oh, stop fiddling! Everything looks fantastic, enjoy yourself with Mister Clayton here," there's a look to Alexander that seems to consider it a little dubious that he could possibly ever enjoy himself, but she raises her champagne flute his way anyway, "Out with the old and in with the new tonight. Have you got your resolutions ready? Mine are to not hold myself back from anything in the upcoming year," she looks around at the room full of excess, eyes gleaming.

August stops harassing a poor table centerpiece, takes a second to appreciate Eleanor's dress again. He leaves off looking her over to glance around at the shindig and its attendees. "Yeah, Clarissa definitely knows how to throw a party." He has a few fine gentleman from his past to thank for having any idea how to comport himself at such an event. He spies Hyacinth and Justin, gives them an up-nod of greeting; a smile and a wave for Anne, Isabella, and Alexander. Itzhak and Ruiz, they get a wry grin. "Look at those two," he murmurs to Ellie.

Alexander's head comes around at the shout in a familiar voice. His expression lights up briefly as he sees the mechanic, and he lifts a hand to wave to Itzhak. "You're looking pretty damned polished yourself, Itzhak," he says, and he has also forgotten his inside voice. At least, for a moment. When Clarissa speaks, he ducks his head and looks abashed, but tries, "It's a very nice party. A success, even?" And then he sort of edges back close to Isabella again as a chattering couple pass almost close enough to touch.

Hyacinth went through a hell of a process to get that long raven hair if hers fixed up like looping plumes. Black feathers and sequins compliment the emerald and onyx dress with dagged fringes and what appears to be the black spike led with matching platform stiletto, though the obelisk adorned as her limb has matching jade green rhinestones mimicking the pattern of her dress.

On her arm the very dashing Hollywood refugee and docent Justin Cooper leaving many an age old question there certainly. Does she walk like she owns the room? Well she did help design it. Justin's arm given a squeeze while she decides where they will fort down at their table and find the lists of 'musts' there to greet already stopping with two and giving her cousin, Patrick, a ruby, glossed smile and a flit of fingers before turning and shaking hands with a couple of the key donors who have helped contribute to the Society.

She seems to be content with being a social shield, at least for the moment. But with the party in full swing, Isabella's hand finds Alexander's to give it a bit of a squeeze. "I think I see some familiar faces," Isabella murmurs to him. "Looks like Andy came, too. I should introduce the two of you properly." Itzhak's yell has her tilting her hatted head up to look for the mechanic, and as always, given the festive occasion, her return greeting is an enthusiastic one: she puts her fingers to her lips, and lets out an appreciative whistle at seeing him. "Looking good, Itzhak! So good, I think you're gonna have to save some for the rest of us!"

Clarissa's chastisement earns her a sheepish glance. "I can't help it," she confesses, and it's the truth. "Besides, I feel like I barely helped, what do I know about putting together a soiree? I even needed the help deciding what to wear." She winks at the Chairwoman and reaches out to pluck a flute from a passing server. "I haven't...I honestly don't know what my resolutions are, yet, but maybe it should be hold back a little." But by the way her eyes look, chances are that is absolutely not happening. She lifts her newly-acquired glass in a silent toast to August at his wave.

Eleanor snags a glass of champagne off a passing tray and hands it to August, claiming another one for herself. She waves to various familiar faces, oohing and ahhing over their outfits. "Any excuse to dress like this is worthwhile in my book," she notes to the man, trying to distract him from fiddling with the flora with a drink. She grins as Itzhak and Ruiz enter. "I can't believe how well Rosencrantz cleans up."

Byron and Lilith had shown up early to the event after freezing terribly during a moonlight carriage ride around Addington Park just prior to this. That said, the carriage ride was a beautiful moment, but with Thorne still feeling under the weather, he's grateful for the warmth of the roaring fireplace to help ease off the hypothermal chill. That doesn't mean that he doesn't cut the dashing figure that he usually does.

He wears a sleek dark charcoal gray single breasted suit, tailored to fit the era, with a white dress shirt beneath with mother of pearl buttons along with a double breasts waistcoat in a similar dark hue as his jacket and trousers. His outfit is accented by a pair of antique cufflinks which Lilith had gifted him for Christmas, a patterned silk tie in a dark wine hue and a pocket square in a slightly lighter shade. His feet are tucked into black brogues, while his hands are being kept warm by elegant white gloves. He's also in possession of a wolf-headed cane. He'd come in with a top hat, but that was politely removed and stored away with his heavy winter coat.

Of course, the always lovely Lilith Winslow is by his side and once the guests all start arriving, he slips an arm around her back. While he is not part of the Historical Society as of yet, he did help to fund the party, so with that in mind, he tells her as he takes those tall and proud strides forth, "Let's go speak to our hostess and then mingle with the other guests." Before adding on, "Though I'm more than likely going to spend most of my time near the fireplace if I can help it."

Approaching Clarissa and Isabella, his face lights up into a smile, "Mrs. Robbins, Isabella. The place looks spectacular." Well, it is in the Addington House. "And I'm glad to see that everyone has shown up in the spirit of the event." The theme is what he's talking about. Since Isabella is here, he's not surprised to find Alexander as well, "Clayton and yes, everything looks quite exquisite."

Patrick, with a side-eye on Andy and his cigarette, helpfully / passive-aggressively straightens the 'Thank you for not smoking' sign - an anachronistic thing but it does its job! A quick smile flashes across his features gratefully, then he's strolling along with ivory-clad Anne. "I'm not sure my immune system is up for kissing babies. I'll have to work up to it." On his way to Clarissa's orbit, he passes by Hyacinth's wave, veering off-course. He waits his turn for the handshake and cheek-kiss, mwah mwah, for his cousin. "Here's to hoping tonight goes better than the last party." With a cheers-lift of his glass.

The first of those he recognizes at the event, Leon tips his tumbler in Hera's direction, pointing her out to Maggi with a sideways look and a grin. Making sure he'd tuck her hand back in his elbow, he'd lead them over once she grabbed her drink. His eyes draw aside for just a moment as he hears that yell, his glass lifted in Itzhak's direction should eye contact be made, but his slow stride would lead the pair to Hera's gaggle. "Evening," He'd say after lifting his glass gently again. He'd make another motion to one of the roaming waiters, making sure he bought at least one drink for the art gallery owner, also making it easier to get some drinks in hand to the arrivals. His look is turned briefly on Beth, Stephanie, and Ciprian, each getting a little nod in greeting, the women causing a slight crinkling at the side of his eyes as he tries to place them.

Rebecca is flitting about like a beaded butterfly, but she pauses when Itzhak and Ruiz walk in. She beams at them, a bright smile, and makes her way in their direction. She reaches for Itzhak's hands and leans up to kiss his cheek then does the same for the surly police captain. "Look at you two! I'm working tonight, but I do want a dance later!" She doesn't specify with whom.

Stephanie recognizes a few faces outside of her little group. Fellow paramedic Sutton. Maggi the Bartender from the Pourhouse. Leon, who she’d seen around in high school, who was two years older than her. Still, she sticks close to her group with a smile, though she is always aware and scanning the room.

“You know, I actually invited your workaholic cousin to this party,” she comments to Hera, “As it turns out, Devlin already has plans for tonight that don’t involve studying.”

"It's probably for the best. At least for the babies," Anne grins impishly up to Patrick, a quiet bit of laughter bubbling out of her as she trails after him. She spies Isabella and Alexander there in Clarissa's orbit, but before she's got a chance - veered off course she goes, right into the orbit of Hyacinth instead. Patrick does the handshake-cheek-kiss while Anne wiggles gloved fingers, her smile dimpling as she says to Hyacinth: "You look so pretty!" Then she takes a drink, with a solemn nod to Patrick. "I'd rather not wind up in a snow globe again."

Hera continues to gather her senses around her. The home is definitely a lovely one, and she likely comments on how everything looks so perfect. Then she notices Leon and Maggi. Still standing close to her friends she came with, her lips widen and she waves. "I was just telling someone about your lovely lighthouse picture the other day!" Her comment clearly meant for Leon, "You really have a good eye and, oh wow!" she goes in to hug Maggi, assuming she is close enough, "Queso misses you! Seriously. He never jumps on anyone's shoulder like he does yours. You really should come by and." Yes yes, dear Devlin. "I really need to talk to him about studying too hard. He really stresses, more than he should. I'm going to onto him about that soon. I'm the only one allowed to work all the time because I am obsessed with what I do!"

Itzhak's the taller of the pair, but de la Vega's built like a brick shithouse. A fact nowhere more apparent than in his current getup: fitted white shirt, charcoal pinstripe pants and matching waistcoat, with a bowtie of all things fastened at his collar. His hands are jammed into the pockets of his trousers, and he's gone so far as to shear off his beard for this little soiree, because trim, tidy mustaches are where it's at. A little pomade in his black hair and a gleam in his eye as he takes in the.. rather large crowd that's turned up. Quick, to the liquid courage! "Where the fuck is the tequila?" he mutters to Rosencrantz.

Andy heads toward the hostess, not pausing when he grabs a French 75 off of the tray of a passing server. He knocks back a hefty gulp, does a full body shudder and looks on the verge of spitting it back into the glass when he swallows. "Jesus, the past can stay in the past." The half-full glass is traded for a Mary Pickford which doesn't get gulped down because he's gonna need a moment. Instead Andy sidles in beside Clarissa and hands the fizzy fruity cocktail off to her, then says, "Have you been holding back before now?" Isabella, Alexander, Byron and Lilith each get a nod, "Evening, all." He digs around in a pocket before pulling out a rumpled strip of paper. Glancing from Clarissa to it, he says, "So, uh, you're a right, um, bearcat? And this, uh, cake-eater wants to ask you to jilly-wig a- okay, this list of 20s slang cannot possibly be correct. When's dancing start, Missus Robbins?"

Genevieve leans against Eli, sipping from her champagne as they watch people arrive. She leans in to say something quietly to him before she nudges him towards the appetizers. Whatever he says in response makes her laugh and she elbows him gently as they pick up plates, handing one to Eli. "Are you ready for a whole new year?" She asks him, grinning up at him. "If it's a tiny bit more interesting than this year, we're going to be busy." She loads up a plate, hands it to Eli and then takes his empty one to put appetizers on that as well.

Beth snags a glass of champagne from a passing tray and takes a little sip. Her eyes settle on Leon when he nods to them, and she nods back, but her expression is much the same as his. She murmurs to Ciprian, "But is it really a Gatsby party until someone runs over their Mistress with their romantic rival's vehicle?" More champagne is tossed back as she continues to people watch. As Stephanie and Hera break off to greet people she calls out, "I think I'm going to go look for the bar." A glance is given to Ciprian and she says with a slight uptick of her lips, "I don't think they have Arbor Mist, but you want to come with?"

Where Lilith's dress hem stops mid-thigh, fringe begins, shimmery with smoked crystalline bead embellishment over the black fabric. Likely designer reproduction that's era-appropriate, the little flapper party dress is cut low with v-baring between the breasts. Long, black silk gloves encase her hands and arms, and her t-strap velveteen heels seem to be antique restoration on close inspection, as are the strings, loops, and dangles of beaded and stoned art-deco jewelry she's wearing for authentic old flair to mix with the designer new. There's a black headband as hair accessory, arranged about pin curls and loops of arranged hair that shortens the length and plays into style to suit the Roaring Twenties, and her cosmetics are indulgent, sultry eyes and wine-painted lips at highlight.

And Lilith is more than happy to abide a long while by the fireplace while Byron soaks in the warmth. There's a turn she makes to look in the indicated direction toward the hostess, but on the way over, it's Isabella who gets an immediate flash of smile on approach, "Isabella looks fabulous and she got Alexander to come too. Good. I imagine things like this aren't his bag, but it's nice that he's a good sport about it." The woman makes comment aside to her date before they arrive there, and while walking along in the span of Byron's arm, she dallies in brief to get them both fresh drinks from a passing tray-- a tumbler of amber liquid for him and a flute of champagne for herself.

"Hello. This is really quite striking, the whole setting is almost transcendent with everyone participating to the nines. And Isabella... you look magnificent of course." Lilith pipes up with greeting and compliment to Clarissa first before extending the greeting onto Isabella and Alexander nearby, "You as well, Alexander. What'd she bribe you with to get you to come play Gatsby?" She's probably teasing, that subtle dry warmth of ribbing humor at her tone for the guy.

Maggi's sapphire eyes light up as Leon points out Hera's arrival to her. Having just taken whatever a 'grasshopper' was in one hand, she does her best not to walk too quickly in her excitement. She doesn't realize she is almost dragging the polite and gentle giant in her company about as he makes covert social pleasantries. "HERA!" Maggi exclaims as soon as they are within socially appropriate space to the feathered beauty. "I have missed you soooo much! I really appreciated your present, very thoughtful. I got stuck snowed in at Leon's place, my car is the worst in snow. How are you?" One porcelain arm reaches out for a hug, the other still in the crook of Leon's, loathe to let go of his muscled arm.

Itzhak wraps his sparkly-nailed fingers around Bex's and leans down for his kiss, smiling at her in that sly sidelong way of his. That's a look that says if it weren't for his great respect for her professionalism he wouldn't be settling for such a polite greeting. "You bet. Christ, you look amazing." He kisses her, careful not to smear her lipstick no matter how badly he wants to. Then, glancing at Ruiz all kinds of pleased and enjoying the sight, he hoists his eyebrows at him. "I guess I'll get you to dance easier if you get tequila in you first, huh?"

Justin moves with Hyacinth as she goes to greet Patrick, and he gives a smile to Anne as well, seeming content to let her decide who to greet and the flow of their movement through the room. He notices Genevieve and Eli, familiar faces in the crowd who he hasn't seen in some time and says, "Genevieve, Eli, nice to see you both. Happy New Year." He lifts his glass to them in greeting and then takes a sip from its contents, watching the other people in the room from over the rim.

"Mister Thorne, Miss Winslow," Clarissa's cheeks flush a bit at the praise, "I can't take all the credit," she says in a tone that implies she most certainly will, "Addington House barely needs any decoration it's so lovely. And of course it could not have happened without your support and the support of the Society--Miss Reede here is our latest acquisition and she has been exceedingly helpful in picking up details the rest of us haven't thought of. It seems that the whole city has pitched in for this, which admittedly was unexpected but not unwelcome. No doubt you'll recognize the flavors of the evening from the catering to the coffee to desserts. And we even have local entertainers mingling throughout the crowd, so take care you aren't hauled in by a copper or one of those trouble boys that might be about," She finishes her champagne, so it's fortunate that Andy is then handing her a cocktail. His list of slang terms making her laugh, "I looked some up too but it's a bit hard to say things like 'giggle water' with a straight face. Which is why I made it the codeword for cheap tickets to the event."

August accepts the champagne flute from Eleanor with a dip of his head, has a sip. ...and almost coughs on it when Eleanor says that about Itzhak. He clears his throat, dabs at his beard with a napkin. "Rude," he says, smiling at her. He nods at Clarissa. "Let's go say hi, run interference for her for a second. Then we can see if Itzhak wants a dance." With either of them, of course. August is, if nothing else, all about scandalous behavior in a suit.

Hyacinth lights up at Anne while the mojito is making its way to her. Patrick gets his cheek smoochies. "Anne, I'm loving the ivory. Especially in the dance lights, great eye for detail. Very smart. " She looks at the spike leg she opted for and back to Patrick with a satisfied smile. "I came prepared this time in case." She ponders Anne's point on the Gatsby Party particulars and wrinkles her nose slightly, "I don't want to hit Justin with my Tesla. I might break it." She loops her arm loosely in his with a playful squeeze.

Rebecca looks utterly amused at Itzhak being all mindful of her lipstick. She clearly finds that adorable. "Go get something to drink and try the hors d'oeuvres. They're delightful!" With that she makes her way back into the throng of party goers to look for her boss.

Ciprian notices Leon's nod, and he returns it, lifting a hand in greeting as his head tips a little bit to the side, perhaps trying to place the other man as well. He's distracted by Beth's words, though, and he snorts, turning that way and looking past her at the bar. "No? How will I be able to enjoy the evening, then?" However, he must not mean it, because when she starts that way, he does as well.

"B! Lil! You both look amazing, of course." Isabella tilts her head for the Thorne's brunette companion, the vintage earrings catching the light. "One of the two most feminine things I'm wearing this evening, if I didn't know any better I think you and Erin are conspiring to push me out of my really outdated tomboy phase that I fell into in high school and never left," she quips. She leans over to buss the air next to Lilith's right cheek. "Doesn't everything look great? Give Missus Robbins a team of assistants and she can work miracles." She winks teasingly at the Chairwoman before she absently lifts to press her lips against the back of Alexander's knuckles in an effort to unspool some of his tension, and quietly rubs away the hints of lipstick she has left behind on his skin in the doing. She manages to catch a glimpse of Anne and Patrick also, and she lifts her glass to them as well when she sees them - and Hyacinth and Vyv, now that she's followed the wake of their walk.

With Andy approaching the rest of the group, she tilts her head at him. "Long time no see, Andy," she says. "This is Alexander Clayton, Byron Thorne, and Lilith Winslow." She introduces the rest in the group. "This is Andy Geroux, police sergeant, former FBI agent."

Clarissa's remarks about her own contributions has her flashing a faint, but slightly giddy grin. "The historical stuff," she appends, as if that needed clarification. "Though honestly, Anne was a bigger help there than I was."

Eleanor chuckles at August's reaction. "Everytime I see the guy he's in old jeans and a tee shirt! Not my fault I'm surprised! Besides, considering what he saw ME in last time," she sighs and begins to blush already. She let's him lead her that way though.

“I know why he’s the way he is, we’re similar that way.” Stephanie pauses, then she leans towards Hera and whispers to her, “Just hear me out though, he’s out on a date tonight.”

She slips out her phone to show Hera a text message Devlin had sent the previous day before sliding it back into her clutch.

“Don’t tell him I said anything though. I don’t want him mad at me.”

"It's going to be tough for it to top this year - but it's going to have its share of adventures. I'm pretty sure we don't know what we're getting into, but it's the first New Year I've been looking forward to for awhile now." Eli says in reply to Eve, taking the first heavily stacked plate and playing his part as pack mule while Eve gets more food.

Hearing his name brings him out of his bubble, blinking toward Justin. "Hi. Hi! Good to see you too, Justin. It has been awhile. Too long. Happy New Year." Eli finds a smile for the man, holding the plate in one hand so he can shake Justin's with the free one.

Alexander turns as Byron and Lilith approach, and offers them both a bright, if brief smile. "Thorne. Lilith. Happy New Year." Lilith's tease brings out a grin. He gives Isabella a sidelong look. "Well, I don't think the seraglio counts as a bribe, exactly. I'd have done it, anyway." A pause. "It's a nice party." He overhears Andy's comment and blinks. "Oh, god, the dancing isn't required, right?" His eyes widen briefly, and it might only be Isabella's touch, and the introduction to Andy, that keeps him from fleeing. He blinks at Andy, studying him with a gaze turned flat and reptilian. "Hello. Former FBI? I didn't know that. It's nice to meet you." But he doesn't offer a hand.

Ruiz slants an unfettered grin Rebecca's way once he spots her, and even waits his turn to favour her with a kiss. On the cheek, mind. And he's going to go right ahead and assume that request for a dance was aimed at Itzhak, unless he's explicitly told otherwise. "Te ves hermosa," he'll concur though, pulling away finally, and giving Rosencrantz a waggle of his own eyebrows in response. He can take that as he likes. "Excuse me," he murmurs to the pair, touches Rebecca's shoulder, then weaves his way off to find the fabled tequila. Or whatever passes for liquor around here.

Justin smirks slightly at Hyacinth's concern for the safety of her Tesla. "I somehow doubt that I would make a dent in your Tesla. I'm not exactly from Krypton." Then he moves a step to one side so that he can reach out and take Eli's offered hand, giving it a friendly shake. "We should all get together again sometime soon, so that we can catch up. I'm sure Dahlia would like it. Have you met Hyacinth?" He then pauses to introduce Hyacinth to Eli and Genevieve, if they haven't yet met.

Hera waves toward Beth as if to make sure she continues to say 'hi' to the nice lady who reminded her about the event. But she seems very excited to see Maggi. So excited she goes in for a hug! It's not a hug that rips her away from Leon though, but she's happy to see he friend. "Thank you so much! I'm glad that you are safe. This snow it's, it's so beautiful but you have to watch it. Fortunately I didn't have much of a reason to leave home. So you did have a good holiday though, right? You two look great! If I can ever learn to look I'll invite you over for dinner! In the meantime, come by! I'll have drinks!"

A quick glance hits tonight's leg, and Patrick's brow climbs upward. "Please be mindful of the floors, won't you? Bring scuba gear next time." It's an amused, fond (and fake) rebuke to Hyacinth before he downs a sip of champagne. "We're on our way to congratulate Clarissa on a lovely party. Happy New Year." And then he's got a hand to the middle of Anne's back, steering her through the crowd toward Isabella's lifted glass, Clarissa-adjacent. "Your turn to kiss babies, I think," with a gentle press forward for her; he really needs to get to the bottom of this one glass, it's only his first(teenth).

Genevieve smiles up at Justin, nodding slowly. "I think that would be very nice, maybe a nice dinner or something?" She turns to Hyacinth, taking in her attire with a smile. "You look lovely, that.. wow." She gives Eli a quick look and then holds out a hand to shake Hyacinth's. "Pleasure to meet you."

She loops her arm around Eli's again and takes another sip of her champagne. "Happy New Year to both of you, it seems like this year is going to be something to remember if this party is anything to go by."

"I honestly don't know." Beth says in a deadpan to Ciprian before she continues to give him shit. "I could slip out and run to the grocery store to grab you some Boone's Farm." She reaches over to put her hand on his forearm while they walk together towards the bar. When they reach it she glances to Ciprian before she suggests, "We could both be disgusted and get something with gin in it. Since it's thematic to the era and all."

Mention of the seraglio is timed absolutely perfectly with Isabella's first sip of bubbly, and so she chokes on it and manages to swallow a full-on cough. She flashes the investigator a mock glower - the kind that makes amusement and righteous retribution an inevitability - before she's suddenly very interested in looking elsewhere. Probably because the smatterings of color are starting to become visible underneath her light tan and finding something else to focus on for the moment. "Dancing is not required," she appends, because she's not a monster.

Leon weathers Hera's compliments with all the grace of a stone, lowering his chin, only slightly grinning, glancing aside. Clearly he wasn't that great of taking them, but a quiet, "Thanks." is at least offered. He is clearly amused by the mention of Queso, remembering the severity of Maggi's distraction on their visit, "Looks like I'll do the cooking, then. We'll have you over sometime." he jokes, eyes sliding sideways to Maggi briefly, maybe wondering if that was the appropriate way to put it. He seems distracted at the comment of the cousin, "Ah, the sawbones isn't coming tonight?" he mentions, meaning Devlin humorously, "Shame." Finally deciding to test the waters, he offers a hand to Stephanie, still a little too dense to make a connection, "Leon Gyre." seeing if an introduction would jog his memory.

Anne's brows climb skyward at the glance to Hyacinth's leg, but her own grin is far more sincere. "I think you're ready for just about anything, Hyacinth. Happy New Year!" she manages to tip her glass to Hyacinth and Justin before off she goes with Patrick, weaving her way through the crowd with her eyes on the prize: Isabella's uplifted glass. There's a sly smirk to Patrick before she reaches her friend, leaning in to kiss Isabella's cheek with a quick mwah! "Isabella! I love the suit," she enthuses, "And Alexander," there's a quick look to the man, a beaming smile. "You look great. You both look great."

With how many times that the GHPD were called to the Bayside Apartments over this past summer, Byron is quite aware of who most of the police officers are. That and he's been family affiliated with the police department due to his father, a former police detective. "I know Police Sergeant Géroux well enough. Unfortunately." That last part is muttered out but laced with good humor. Though to what Clarissa now said, Byron can't help but to grin proudly of his childhood friend and rival, "As much as I'd hate to say it," because this is Gray Harbor, "I always knew that the town could use the likes of Isabella Reede. It's really good to have her back and she's been nothing less than productive since."

To the others near by, like Patrick and Anne and Hyacinth, they are all given a friendly nod and a warm-enough smile. With one of the wait help passing by, Byron collects two champagne glasses, handing one over to Lilith.

Itzhak watches both Ruiz and Bex walk off with a quirk of an eyebrow. Then he's swanning his sparkly way over to August and Ellie, leaning over to smooch Ellie on the cheek, and what the hell, smooches August on the cheek too. "Don't he look great?" he says to them. "You don't wanna know what I had to do to talk him into it. How's ya doin, Roen?"

"I get bored of most things eventually." Harry turns her hazel gaze to Carver. Sutton's been talking like this all day is right. The blonde steps over and says, with a mouth full of scallop, "'Cept you with a bunch of buttons. Hotsy totsy." The tone is somewhat suggestive, right on the border of laughter, her finger flicking down the buttons of the Brit's waistcoat is certainly that (she ate the scallop first), but the construction of the sentences is imminently lazy. She may actually be running out of slang. And it might be more effective without the food in her mouth. Or, you know, not. "Want to dance, pet?" Whatever she's drinking is bubbly. This is her second glass. "Or should go to find somewhere to lurk with that tray of nibbles?" Should have eaten before going out.

Sutton doesn't have a hand free, but when she catches sight of one of the other paramedics, she raises her glass to Stephanie.

"Hold that-" Carver stops mid-sentence to both chew and swallow the scallop, his hand sneaking down as Sutton flicks at his buttons to steal two more of the damn things from her hand. "Thought." She's never seen him dance. That's absolutely for a good reason, and should make his choice of her two options a foregone conclusion. It becomes a certainty when he slightly-scallopy-scentedly licks the palm of his hand to part up his hair, adjusts the tie, and slips into an entirely different posture than the casual slouch he had before. Upright. Prim. Proper. It seems only natural and obvious that he'd be scooping up one of the table-placed aperitif trays to do the job he was absolutely, totally here for. Serving food to others. Yes.

Alexander looks briefly smug when Isabella shoots him that mock glare. He even manages to raise two fingers to the rim of his hat and give her a rakish, playful look. Then Anne and Patrick are approaching and he looks a bit bashful again, although Anne's enthusiastic compliment garners a quick little smile. "You both look amazing. And there's Mister Carver. And Sutton as well," he suddenly notices, with a blink. The two get a tentative little wave.

Hyacinth lets her glance hunt and search for- Oh! Isabella. There's a lovely surprise complete with lift of fingers and makes the wiggly finger gesture to find her in a bit. While Vyv always stands out it's hard for her to spot where her bestie of besties is when she's not as tall as she'd like to be, even in that shoe. She moves with Justin to greet his friends telling her cousin, Patrick, and Anne, "Well if anything happens to them I'll consider it job security."

Turning to Eli and Genevive she extends a hand, with ebony manicure a sincere smile toe Genieve, "Always a pleasure to meet any friend of Justin's. And happy New Year to all of us as we find ourselves in the most excellent of company." Her glass lifts to Byron before she sips it. Aww look at these Addingtons work the room.

"You looked fabulous, you have nothing to be ashamed of," August murmurs. But, well, easy for him to say, he wasn't naked and high in front of God and everyone. Ostensibly he's guiding Eleanor towards Itzhak (and by extension, Clarissa and others), but in reality Eleanor's doing a lot of work to keep him from running into something. He leans down a hair as his cheek is kissed, returns the favor and takes half a step back to admire Itzhak's suit. "Nice." He watches Ruiz head off through the crowds, nods appreciatively. "You guys pick these up, or already have them?"

Eleanor smiles at Itzhak and laughs a little nervously. "Yeah, since I started dating this guy I had to add a new line item for 'fancy clothing' to my budget. We seem to get invited to all the soirees these days." And the last few days she's has to keep him from becoming one with various doorframes, furniture legs, table corners, etc.

"You say that like you're joking, but you shouldn't joke about an offer like that." This is said in a pretty good deadpan of his own, and Ciprian raises one eyebrow, before he smiles. "Why not get a sidecar? Best of both worlds -- delicious and on theme." His smile widens as they reach the bar, and he looks over at Beth again, letting her order first before he gets just that, because it's delicious.

After Hera goes off to greet people, Stephanie follows and smiles at both Leon and Maggi as she walks over. At the mention of Devlin, Stephanie smirks knowingly but says nothing. Instead, she shakes Leon’s hand and says, “Stephanie Tremblay. Class of ‘07. You were a couple of years ahead, I think?”

Ruiz is merely off to liquor himself up. Because without alcohol, he's liable to be skulking in a corner somewhere like a rabid dog, giving people that look that says he will eat their face if they start talking to him. So! Alcohol it is. "Scotch?" The gatsby'd bartender smiles helpfully, and gets a surly, "Fine," in response. Belatedly, he spots August and Eleanor, and tenders them both a hesitant smile. Byron over there, and Lilith flitting nearby, and Alexander gets a wink if he manages to catch his eye.

Alexander's gesture only intensifies that expression, before a quiet mutter of: "That's not even fair why do I even put up with..." muttergrumblemutter.

"I like how you call it productive, Ronnie," Isabella tells Byron with a smile - but one with absolute warmth and pure pleasure behind it; her mercilessly bright and festive expression fades into a brief, but visible gentling before she leans over to buss the air by his cheek, also. "I'd have come back sooner if I knew you were this willing to say such nice things about your erstwhile high school rival." She winks at him at that, before she turns so she could beam at Anne and press her lips against the air next to her cheek. "Anne! You look amazing, as always. And Patrick, I don't think I'll ever forgive Cambridge for letting you graduate, but I suppose if the world was fair, it'd be less interesting. The two of you look fantastic....and so does the house. It must've taken a lot of work to get it ready for today."

It's Alexander's pointing out of Harry and Mister Carver that has her gaze lifting to look for the gorgeous paramedic and her mysterious (to her) companion. "....oh, so that's what he looks like," she murmurs.

"Most excellent of company." Eli agrees to the words from Hyacinth, but he doesn't have a lot of enthusiasm behind them. "Very nice to meet you." He adds.

He's not shaking hands any longer, so those fingers can be put to better use plucking little wrapped sausages from his plate and popping them into his mouth. Mm.

"Evening, Thorne." Patrick finds a moment to answer Byron's nod-and-smile routine with something similar, though he lingers to add, "Has anyone come by with the metaphorical donation bucket yet? Did you bring your checkbook?" But the attempt is paired to a grin that makes it plainly more in jest than truth. May as well keep saying what works, so Alexander and Isabella get, "Clayton, happy new year. Isabella, I paid them enough, I think they felt obligated to give me a degree. Happy new year."

Hera briefly goes to get a glass of champagne, assuming one if offered. She begins to return to Maggi and the small social group that is forming there until she spots her favorite florist. "Genevive?" she asks as she waves in her direction. Yeah, that's got to be here. "Oh wow. You're here!" She then tries to get everyone attention as best she can by saying in a loud voice, "Everyone! This lovely lady is the best florist ever!" Hopefully Eve isn't too embarassed, "You won't find anyone else more talented with flowers, ever!"

"Dancing isn't required, but it is recommended. We've got a great band and a very talented DJ that's going to take over right before midnight so that people don't feel like they have to know how to waltz to participate," Clarissa glances towards the dance floor, clearly favoring the waltzing thing, "Happy New Year," she offers to those that have joined the little group, sipping her fruity cocktail, "Are Miss Reede and I the only ones who have thought up resolutions?"

Sutton watches Carver affect a posture so unlike his usual, and a smile flirts with the corners her mouth. She tracks him to the tray, when he picks up the tray, and turns on her heel to follow after. There's a wave to Alexander as her gaze skims past the man just as he happens to note the pair and wave too. She blows a little kiss to Isabella. They make a turn, the sound of Harry's heels lost in the din of all the mingling and music, and the two exit through an arch between rooms, headed out with the food to hunker down and snack or other things. Whatever people do when they sneak off at a party.

"Now you're on the trolley," Harry Everly Sutton says, a smile in her voice as she and Alistair Carver disappear. Guess she had one more turn of phrase ready to go tonight. When they find the coat room, she'll probably have a few more.

Gracefully exiting the embrace, Hera's invitation elicits a laugh from Maggi, one that stifles slightly at Leon's admittance. She attempts to cover this with a small sip of her grasshopper. She didn't know what she had expected, he had asked her to move in...it just felt so official to tell other people. "That's probably for the best unless you both want chips and ramen." Maggi gives a small nod towards Stephanie, letting Leon take the lead with someone who knew him. She takes the beat to contemplate why it was weird to tell people the truth.

"Happy New Year to you, also, Patrick," Isabella says with a smile and an upward winging of her brows towards Anne - because she hasn't caught up to this development yet, and there's probably going to be some poking and pestering during their next wine night. "Did the two of you get my e-mail today?" Asked of Lilith and Anne. "I thought it would be fun." Harry's kiss gets a playful snatching of it from the air, and the exaggerated show of tucking said flying kiss into her waistcoat's pocket, before winking back at the paramedic.

Genevieve does turn red, bright red, as attention is called to her. She waves back at Hera, ducks her head and finishes off her champagne, setting the glass one one of the offered trays that wooshes past with one of the servers. She offers another smile and a wave to Hyacinth and Justin before she pulls her husband toward Hera. "Hey you, you look beautiful!" She greets, leaning in to give the gallery owner a brief hug. "Happy New Year."

Alexander catches that look from Ruiz, and his grin back is unfettered. Another of those waves in the man's direction, much less tentative than the one towards the Brit-like folks. Then he snickers under his breath at Isabella's mutter. Right before Clarissa takes the wind out of his sails. "Not recommended," he assures her. "Not where I'm concerned." A glance at Isabella. "You should, though. I imagine anyone would like to dance with you, if you want." His eyes dart here and there, trying to keep track of all the people and the way they move among each other.

There's a certain warmth to the smile that she gives to Isabella and Alexander both, a touch of pink to her cheeks at all the compliments. "I was going to go with red, but Daisy Buchanan always wore white, so here I am," she lifts a slim shoulder and passes her fingers over the white ostrich feather in her hair, before she does something useful with those fingers - like find another glass of champagne from a passing waiter, exchanging her empty glass. Is Clarissa in this little circle? Because she's going to tell the woman: "You've really outdone yourself, Clarissa!" As for resolutions, she's mum - the eyes she gives to Patrick when the subject comes up is entirely coincidental. "Oh! I did, did you get mine? I said I'll do it, it sounds like a lot of fun," she tells Isabella.

Lilith returns the air kiss and makes a flattered over-gesture with a hand at her heart in faux swooning when Isabella tilts her head to make those etched glass art deco dangle earrings catch the light. And maybe she's biased since she might have sourced those earrings as a present, her wine-hued lips turning up with threat of twitched smile, "Goodness, those are fabulous earrings. Someone has excellent taste!" Then she gives up the game and just grins at the other familiar brunette, tipping her head with a 'good on you' gesture at Alexander when he explains there's been no real bribing at all to get him there.

Taking the glass from Byron with a murmur of 'thank you' she sips, she makes reiteration for Clarissa with a flash of appreciative smile, then goes curious, "Really, it's all... oh, what word are we using tonight? Swell? I think that's era fitting. Do you have plans for another theme party in the coming year, or are we reserving all the bang up awe for holidays with countdowns? I like the themes and dress up angle, though, my flair for playing dressup almost had me freezing solid in the carriage. Which was also absolutely... breathtaking." Her eyes turn up to Byron then to just glow at him with brief mention of the ride they arrived in with flair.

"Oh, speaking of, I suppose we should thank Hyacinth Addington for putting such a thing together for Auction, at least before we leave." Her eyes roam the room a moment to see if she can sight the woman of subject, but then when Patrick and Anne near, she pays them greeting compliment, "Lovely, lovely, everyone is lovely all around tonight." Then dancing is being mentioned and she draws in a tiny breath of anticipating, telling her date aside, "... somehow, I forgot about dancing until right this moment and I just got very excited."

Then she's distracted by Isabella's question, "Oh! Yes, I suppose I could give it a go. Who does the readings? Are we talking about Frankie or someone else?"

Leon nods, tipping his head and grimacing in a guilty look of apology, "Yeah, '05. Sorry, I'm only back something like half a year, hard to parse all the old faces... I mean... Not old, just..." He raises his glass and taps it to his forehead, "Way with words, I got." He glances to Maggi, then the food, a silent question asked, but a decision he'd make hands-down regardless. You don't get to be all grown up like him by skipping meals, he'd glance to Stephanie as well as he tilts his head in ask, but he'd angle toward the buffet regardless of company, pick out a few bougie snacks, and find a place near Maggi to consume them. He'd probably share, too. At least, that's what you'd guess with as much as he's likely to put on a plate.

"A sidecar sounds fantastic." Beth says as she sips from her champagne glass because she's working on that even as they walk to the bar to get another drink. "Hi. Can I get a sidecar, please?" She opens up the clutch to pay for her and Ciprian's drink along with a tip. When their drinks are finished she tosses her champagne back, and leaves the glass so she can replace it with the sidecar. A glance is given to the buffet, but she doesn't start in that direction. Instead she has another drink from her glass. "So I didn't get you drunk the other night." She reminds him with a grin.

Hera waves Maggi over to try to make an introduction for her and Eve. "You have got to meet this very talented woman Maggi, you just have to. Her flowers just breathe new life into some of the darkest place. She's an amazing artist herself. Maybe Leon can take picture of her work sometime" Speaking of time yup, that cellphone goes off and she looks down at it. "Important call, drats. My resolution is to leave my phone at home at the next New Years Party." But off she goes to answer it.

"Bex hooked us up. Save me a dance, botha youse," Itzhak informs Ellie and August. They get no chance to demur before he's sauntering through the crowd to Hyacinth. Her he's got to stand back and just stare at like the work of high art and fashion she is. How can he greet her? He's afraid he'll be a big klutz and ruin something. So he offers over his inked knuckles for the dap. "Shoulda sent a poet to compliment you, 'cause I can't do ya justice." Justin he nods at with a quirk of his mouth. "How's by ya. Rosencrantz."

"I'll consider it," Isabella says to Alexander. "Though it's definitely been a while for me, too. Are you sure you don't want to try? I can teach you a simple box step at least. It's very safe and won't require any fancy movements." Lilith's explanations and the quip about her earrings draws a bright laugh. "The very best taste. But you're in? Awesome." And her expression brightens when Anne also acquiesces. "Grand! We'll make a day of it, then. I think the person who does the readings is Philomena Sparrow Jones, I met her recently during Joey Kelly's thanksgiving party. She's very friendly, and pretty clever. Honestly I had no idea she was interested in tarot today and I figured, why the hell not? I might be dreading my defense. Just a little bit. It's probably dumb, but I think at this point I can use all the help I can get."

"Word gets around." Eli says with a smile when Hera announces Eve's prowess. He stands pleasantly nearby while the two women exchange greetings and then as Maggi is pulled over and introduced.

"Nice to meet you." He says, assuming he ends up as part of the introduction process. "Sausage rolls are to die for." He's good at small talk.

"Well you are a terribly productive person, Miss Reede." Byron says in an in slightly dramatic tone, "I must wonder, when do you ever find a time to rest?" The same is often same about him, of course. Though when Isabella brings up some secret thing that she has planned for Anne and Lilith, he can't help but turn to the latter, even if he is addressing both, "Is this something that I need to concern myself about?"

With Lilith's suggestion, Byron complies, with an offer of, "Please do excuse me." Followed by a, "And a Happy New Years to do, Addigton." He speaks to Patrick while he's on his way to meet with another Addington, "Hyacinth. We had the most wonderful evening earlier today. Despite how freezing it is out there." But for whatever reason, he just can't shake the chill, even now. "The horses and driver were very accommodating . So thank you for that. It was magical and romantic all the same." During this move, Ruiz's presence catches his eye, making his spread across his lips, "Happy New Year, Captain de la Vega. Let's all hope that this upcoming year is far less exciting that the one that's just coming to past."

Clarissa's eyes sparkle at Anne's compliment, "Thank you. It all came together better than I could have hoped. And I absolutely adore themed parties," she replies to Lilith, gesturing around, "So I have to think this won't be the last. Especially considering the turn out. And we have instructors out there," she tells Alexander when Isabella mentions the dancing again, "We actually have someone here doing tarot readings in one of the other rooms--Caoimhe O'Brien, have you met her? The line was pretty long last time I passed though. Something about the New Year makes everyone looking forward to the future, but the unknown still frazzles people, I guess. It's nice to have fresh start, but even nicer if you know it comes with at all, dark, handsome stranger."

Taking her cues from the people around her, Stephanie heads to the Buffet and says to Leon. “Yeah, it’s all good, not taking it personally that you don’t remember me. I wasn’t very memorable. I just have a gift with remembering names and faces.” She starts to pile a bit of food on her plate and tries to scan the room to find a table to reconvene with her group while in line still.

"Of course it does," Ciprian replies, as though this should be obvious to anyone. His tone is light, though, and there's certainly amusement there as well as he receives his drink with a nod of thanks. He lifts it to Beth, before he takes a sip from it, looking over at the food briefly before he looks back to her. "You didn't," he confirms with a wider smile. "You don't think that was by design? I'm not in college anymore. Thank goodness." There's a shudder that accompanies this, and while it's a little exaggerated, it's still not totally feigned.

"Thorne. Nice to see you again. You look good." Ruiz has a drink in hand as he sidles on up to the younger man, and plucks absently at his waistcoat like it's constricting him. Lilith, too, is greeted; with a disarming, dimpled grin, no less. And Isabella with a tip of his glass once he spots her. "Feliz año nuevo," is his return volley to the dapper businessman, with a brief clap of Byron's shoulder.

"You could do quite a lot using the Addington House as a venue," Anne says to Clarissa with another glance to Patrick. "I'm sure Patrick would be be a willing host. The gardens would be the perfect backdrop for something medieval, you know." She seems giddy just thinking about it! She leans a hip into Patrick when she looks back to Isabella, lifting brows at the talk of Sparrow. "I don't think I know her. I've never gotten my cards read before," she admits, "But it should be fun! Something new and different. Maybe that should be my resolution: try something new this year." She 'hmms' as she sips at her drink, and then leans up on her tip-toes to murmur something to Patrick.

People talk resolutions, like people do on New Year's Eve, and Patrick assures, "I have dozens of them already. I should have broken at least two by," he checks his (almost definitely antique, don't be a hater) watch, "oh, half-past-twelve at the latest." There's a brief deepening of his smile when Byron excuses himself - instead of pulling out his checkbook! - but no malice about it. "Did we ever actually - ah, Clarissa. Hello, happy new year's. Helluva party." He indicates it with a sweep of his glass-bearing hand, simultaneously tilting an ear down to catch the latest whisper.

Rebecca delivers her attendees briefing to her boss, before she is given leave to enjoy the rest of her evening at the party. So, when she returns to the throng, she heads towards Hyacinth with a glass of champagne and some food in hand. "Hya you look incredible," she notes. "Of course, you always look incredible." She nods to Justin in greeting as well and gives Itzhak a wink.

"No." It's flat to Isabella; it doesn't seem deliberately hostile, just a very firm denial of having any desire to dance. Alexander is nowhere near drunk enough to loosen up on that particular inhibition. He tries to soften the denial with a smile. "But don't let me stop you. Really." As Ruiz approaches, he offers the cop a smile. "Captain. Hello. Happy new year. You look very dapper. And shaved." He peers with interest at the new look, like he's going to have to describe Ruiz to a jury later. In regards to resolutions, he just says, "I have a couple," but doesn't elaborate.

Justin turns when he sees Itzhak coming over to greet Hyacinth and smiles at his compliment to her, before giving him a nod of greeting and a loft of his glass. "Doing well, and yourself? Justin Cooper," he introduces himself. Then he turns to look over at Lilith and Byron as they come over to thank Hyacinth and he gives them both a pleasant smile and a nod of his head, though he doesn't interrupt the conversation, instead, taking another sip from his glass and taking the moment to nod pleasantly to Rebecca as well when she comes over, giving her a smile of greeting.

Genevieve and Eli quietly make their way toward the coats after a warm smile and quiet introduction is offered to Maggi. The pair stop to gather their coats and other items, take one more look around at the decorations and then they slip out into the quiet evening to walk toward Elm and home.

Maggi does her best not to snort, not entirely surprised by seeing him put his foot in his mouth. She does release his bicep so he may gather provisions, extending her now free hand to Stephanie upon her return. "I'm pretty sure I saw you in the library a few times, I was a couple years behind and all kinds of anti-social." Releasing the shake she blows Hera a kiss as the lovely workaholic exits to take her call. She did need to send her a thank you card. Maggi then gives a small waves to the floral artist, Eve. "I would be fascinated to see Leon forced to photograph something that isn't broody!" She giggles and stands on her toes to give the bringer of food a kiss on the cheek before taking a snack for herself.

Hyacinth greets Itzhak with a warm smile turning Justin that way, and takes the sompliment with a quipped, "I know, he's stunning." She shifts a glance to Justin and says with wry amusement, "I'm blessed with an eye for taste. Of which, very dashing. I approve of whomever is taking care of you." Turning she says, "Justin, This is Itzhak Rozenkrantz. He was one of the two with me while tending to my father's personal affairs." Way to emphasize dealing with your father's killer ghost without wrecking a mood, no? She tells Justin, "He's also a friend of - Ah! Rebecca, oh you look stunning. You would. Certainly. It is good to see you. Rebecca, Justin Cooper."

"Will do, but you're leading," August warns Itzhak. He nods his head towards Clarissa and company, steers himself and Eleanor that way. "Everything came out great, Clarissa. Congratulations." Even if he can't help but go around and fuss with table pieces and garlands and potted arrangements. He nods and smiles at everyone else. "Happy New Year."

Byron's quip has her laughing openly. "Rest? Me? What is that? This sounds like a very exotic concept, Mister Thorne, and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter as to what that entails." And there's a flash of a look there at her childhood friend. Alexander's firm denial of a dance earns him a blink, a touch of hurt, but one that doesn't linger, too proud, really, to be demonstrative of even the slightest nicks. "It's fine, I was just-- " With Ruiz approaching close to the group, Isabella's turning away and beaming at him openly. "Javier, how's the unpacking going? Looking sharp. Is that a scotch?" There's a hopeful look at the glass, before she's already setting the bubbly away to bully a passing server to get her one.

"Captain," Clarissa greets Ruiz as he approaches, looking more at her drink and the sip that she takes as she continues, "I hope you've made quite a few resolutions, particularly when it comes to response time. If you're taking suggestions I have a few," smile, smile, she then turns a more genuine one on Anne, "That would be utterly fantastic! Can you imagine the gowns? I'm trying not to make fundraising an excuse just to wear the most decadent things I can imagine but...why fight it? Look fabulous and raise money for good causes, what could possibly go wrong?" She turns to August at his praise, absolutely loving each and every comment that's sent her way, "I think we have you to thank for a lot of it, the place looks amazing, Mister Roen."

Eleanor beams at Clarissa. "This is a fantastic event. The theme was a stroke of genius. Even the surliest will come out to be able to dress appropriate to the era," she notes. She sips her champagne, and then offers Ruiz a nervous smile. How many people in here have seen her starkers thanks to that stupid Veil pollen? At least 3. Not counting August.

"Entertainment value. I'll tell you later, it's not a huge thing, just something fun to do." Lilith assures Byron with his jesting concern on Isabella's planning, though she grins a little at the other female for show, "But Isabella is known for hyjinx and shenanigans, so who knows. Excuse us, though, yes, time to work the room a little and do some greeting and well-wishing before I commandeer Byron into dancing." It's kind of a jest at old times too the way she smiles at her date there for a sidelong moment, remembering the way she used to commandeer him into dancing when they were young too.

On approaching Hyacinth, Lilith raises her champagne flute up with gracious gesture once Byron has spoken, gushing a little bit at the account of the ride, "Honestly, it was magic enough to let us forget how cold it is outside a time or two or three, which is certainly saying something. I appreciate you putting such thought into an arrangement for charity. The carriage itself was magnificent and as Byron mentioned, the driver was very accommodating and went out of his way to ensure we were happy."

It's busy in here, and once the Captain is coming to give his greeting and well-wishing in passing, she puts on a pretty pose and smile for him in response to that dimpled grin, "Captain, you almost look happy tonight! Does that mean you're as excited about dancing as I am?"

"I'll get you yet." Beth says with a sly smile to Ciprian, and with drinks in hand she begins leading them back towards where the tables are. Spotting Stephanie in line at the buffet she waves her hand to get her attention before sitting down. "I always feel a bit out of my element at these things." She admits to Ciprian as she pulls out a chair to sit down. "...Like I'm watching all of these stories happening around me, but I'm not a part of it. Funerals feel the same, but that makes sense because I'm not part of that grief. But it's the same with parties, too."

Anne flashes Clarissa a dimpled grin. "I think it would be amazing. A great spring celebration, honestly, the gardens are beautiful here in the spring. We can talk more about it later?" she offers, and then reaches to slip her hand in Patrick's own, tipping her chin up to him. "Do you want to try to dance?" The look to his cup afterward suggests she probably wants to get it out of the way before he's too man glasses in.

“I thought I recognized your face from high school!” Stephanie exclaimed in response to Maggi, sharing her hand, “I’m sorry it didn’t click sooner. Usually these days, when you see me, it’s In varying levels of intoxication at the Pourhouse so it doesn’t quite click the same way.”

Noticing that Beth was waving at her, she noted the location of the table before serving herself a little more food and focusing on Maggi and Leon once more.

Itzhak senses Clarissa is talking business to Ruiz. He shakes Justin's hand, says, "Look out for Hya, she's a troublemaker," with a glint of mischief in his eyes. Then he squeezes Bex around the shoulders, murmurs to her, and--damn nearly magically appears at Ruiz's side. "Hey, there you are!" he says to him. "Thanks, been looking all over for him," he says to Clarissa. "Fuckin' awesome party."

"When did I get known for that, you must be thinking about another Isabella," the archaeologist grouses towards Lilith. "It's like nobody can take me anywhere." No, it's true. She can be just as bad. But there's a mischievous grin towards Lilith when she says that, there might be some pride in it. With August and Eleanor having joined the Clarissa-greeting circle and Hyacinth approaching, she smiles at them and their companions. "Looking good, Doctor Roen," she teases the Combat Botanist. "Hyacinth, I can't even quantify your fabulousness this evening so I'm not going to bother and will just drink plenty of scotch to make up for it instead. Maybe I'll ocme up with something absolutely clever to say that would be fitting after that."

"I'd love to hear them," Ruiz tells Clarissa with a sparkling smile that says absolutely nothing of the sort, and something an awful lot closer to, you can fuck right off. "After I dance with Miss Reede." A hand's held out to Isabella, palm up, in invitation. Eleanor may (or may not) be encouraged by the fact that his glance toward her is brief, and his greeting perfectly polite: "Miss Lake." Lilith just gets a look, like, what Latino man in his right mind isn't? "You're next," he tells Itzhak with a wolfish little growl and flick of his upper lip as he makes eye contact.

Leon begrudgingly lowers his chin a bit when Maggi touches him, accepting the kiss with a joking manner of stoicism. He lifts a chin to indicate where he'd be guiding them, arm hooked out so Maggi can retake it before leading them over to the table Stephanie had glanced at, and by extension taking them to Beth and Ciprian. "Mind company?" he asks to the table's occupants with an amicable grin, setting the heaped plate down and smoothly guiding the re-coupling of the group. He takes a chair out to gentlemanly allow Maggi a seat before sliding into one himself. He offers his name again in greeting to the pair, as he hadn't had the chance before. It's all about name recognition in a security business, after-all. "Leon Gyre." he says, following with a glance to his blonde companion, "Maggi Madsen. Sorry, I didn't introduce myself before. You know Hera?"

Alexander's face flickers when he sees that hurt on Isabella's face. His shoulders drop a little, and he takes a step back. "I was going to get a plate, Isabella. Would you like anything?" As Ruiz steps forward, he bobs his head. "I could grab us a few things while you dance."

Rebecca gets a text message, and she heads out of the main room to return a call to her brother. She glances over her shoulder at the people she knows, and smiles warmly. Good event. Happy New Year indeed!

August shrugs at Clarissa's return compliment. "Thank you, but that was just the plants. You're the one who pulled it all together." He strokes Eleanor's arm to calm her; the crowd aside, he knows that whole Dream business has made it tough for her to run into people who were there. A sympathetic glance for Alexander; August doesn't need Glimmer to know this event is wearing on him. Still, he dips his head in a thank you to Isabella, says, "You and Alexander are looking great."

Ciprian follows Beth to the table, taking a seat himself and settling back as he sets his drink down for now. He looks up at Stephanie at the wave, before his gaze returns to Beth. "Well," he says, "I do a bit as well, but that's probably because I am out of my element." The smile shifts a little self-deprecatingly, and he continues, "But it can be fun to get out sometimes and do things that I wouldn't normally do."

He starts to say something else, but Leon's words have him looking up, and he shakes his head, gesturing to one of the other chairs. "Of course not," he says, "please. Ciprian Kosimar, and this is Beth Lawson. Nice to meet you both. Some party, huh?"

Patrick nods very gravely down at Anne and the idea of trying to dance, looking like he's very much sold on this idea, his mumble unintelligible for its lowness and the fact that he finishes his champagne at about the same time. At an audible volume, he answers, "I have no idea how to do the Charleston, but you know who I imagine remembers it vividly?" A tip of his empty champagne flute goes to old Missus Erickson over yonder, and then he leaves the glass with a convenient waiter. "We're going to dance." That's an FYI for everyone over here (Lilith, Clarissa, Isabella, Alexander, Ruiz... idk, i lost track), and he's walking backward toward the ball room, drawing on Anne's hand as he goes.

"Well, thanks to you people will be caffeinated enough to make it to midnight and dance well into the morning," Clarissa replies to Eleanor, raising her glass her way in a small toast, "And once they get very tired, I'm sure people will be donating even more before the night is out. And yes, absolutely," she nods to Anne, "I never forget a good party idea!" She appears momentarily taken aback by Itzhak's language, but since it was a compliment she recovers fairly quickly, "Thank you, and Happy New Year! Very much looking forward to the music later to keep us all awake and spirited. " A look is given to Isabella as Ruiz offers a dance and she sniffs disapprovingly, but doesn't say anything out loud. Does she really need to? She has a long sip of her drink instead, "I should make you dance, Mister Clayton. You did make me climb into a very small dumb waiter once."

Eleanor seems to be calmed a bit by August's touch. She tugs on his hand a little. "How about a very slow slow dance before food?" she whispers to him quietly. She seems willing to have her toes stomped on in his current state.

Vyv has, currently, ducked into the kitchen area to look over the display of various chocolates and pastries with a critical eye. He is not, of course, the one who's physically set up the arrangement, and luckily, the array is just as he intended it, so he needn't either fix it nor find the employee who did it wrong and make them even happier to see the year end.

He emerges tugging one of his white kid gloves back on, and pauses, glancing around to see where His People might currently be. He's gone fully white tie, because how often does one get the opportunity? The swallowtail coat and trousers with their traditional braid down the side are midnight blue rather than black, just beginning to be fashionable in the early '20s, and the white vest and bowtie grace a crisp white shirt with a wing-tip collar and fastened with onyx studs. The white spats over his patent leather opera pumps bear similar ones. A traditional white pocket square sits neatly in his breast pocket, near an equally traditional white-carnation boutonniere. Now, where is that assistant of his? And even more importantly, where are the nearest drinks? He catches a flash of emerald, and peers that way as he adjusts a cufflink, breaking into a faint smile when he confirms to whom that flash belongs, and heads over, snagging a glass of wine off a tray on the way.

Tension between the police captain and the Chairwoman notwithstanding, Isabella's green-gold eyes ping-pong between the two, desperately doing her level best to catch up with the every-shifting social calculus such events tend to present. With her companion's shoulders hunching, she smiles at him - tries to make it reassuring, in the end. "Um...something from the sea. I think the scallops? With the bacon? We can agree with that, right?" A flash of a quick, fiery grin at him before she steps forward and slips her hand to Ruiz's waiting one. "We'll be back after a round. Anne, Patrick, looks like we're coming with you!" August and Eleanor get a wink, before she follows the taller man's lead. The sniff from Clarissa? Only gets a wicked grin back, like a teenager in open and terrible rebellion. You can't tell me what to do, Mom!

Alexander gives Clarissa a flat look. Tonelessly, he says, "You couldn't make me dance, Missus Robbins." And after a moment, although softer as he says, "And I didn't make you get in the dumbwaiter. You volunteered." He hums, then adds, with a warmer hint, "And if you promise to let me remain undanced, I might even share what we found from interviewing the groundskeeper's father. One day. If you're interested." His eyebrows go up, and he ventures a smile.

"I wonder if she did the Charleston with Marie Curie," Anne muses as she drains the rest of her champagne and sets the glass aside. To the group: "Have a happy New Year! And Alexander, you should dance." But no pressure. Then she lets Patrick pull her away to the ball room as Isabella's getting tugged along with Ruiz, a laugh on her lips. "Maybe he can teach us how to Charleston?" she looks to Ruiz and then shrugs. But in reality, there'll be no Charlestoning for Anne and Patrick tonight - just a few many dances before they blend back into the crowd, probably to rub elbows and kiss at midnight, but hopefully not kiss elbows at midnight.

De la Vega tells Itzhak he's next and Itzhak abruptly blushes a most fetching shade of tomato frikkin' red. What was he doing, again? Besides grinning stupidly? ...Saying hi to Alexander and Isabella. Right. "Uh, hey," he says with a shy half-smile to Isabella, turning Ruiz over to her. "Have fun." Alexander he goes to keep company. "Let's get a drink, huh?" he says to him, that dumb grin still lurking on his face.

Justin gives Izhak's hand a shake in greeting when it is offered, and he chuckles a little at Hyacinth's diversion of a compliment or two in his direction. He shakes his head at her, but doesn't argue. He smiles to Isabella as she greets Hyacinth as well. With glass in hand, he seems content to stand by for the time being, though eventually he says to Hyacinth, "After dinner, you do owe me a dance, Miss Addington."

If Byron were pulling out his checkbook, he'd do so at one of the appropriate desks, which despite this sudden need for funding for whatever reason, he's more than likely to do before the evening lets out and it would be his good deed of this new year. It looks like Hyacinth is doing introductions of sorts, but he recognizes Justin from his time in L.A., having run with a very similar, wealthy, business professional crowd. "Justin Cooper right? Surprised to see you out here in Gray Harbor of all places." He'll assume the other knows who he is by now, but if he doesn't, as Byron is new money, he will make an introduction either way, "Byron Thorne. I did a stint in L.A. for a few years for college. And this is my better half Lilith Winslow."

"I work with Hera's cousin Devlin," Stephanie explained to Leon as Leon introduced himself and Maggi to both Ciprian and Beth, "And Beth's been my best friend since, forever? I was practically living at her place by middle school. I was always around."

Stephanie smiled as both Maggi and Leon decided to join the table. She slid in next to Beth and settled herself down to eat, looking at the company. It wasn't so bad...

August smiles down at Eleanor. "Sure. Very slow." A shame, he'd been looking forward to trying something energetic, but such is life in Gray Harbor. He nods at everyone, has the last of his champagne and sets to glass on table filled with others waiting to be scooped up and cleaned. "See you all on the dance floor," he says to everyone else. But to Alexander specifically, he adds, "I promise to never make you dance if you tell me." He chases that with a solemn nod, then lets Eleanor lead him to the dance floor.

Itzhak and Ruiz came together? Isabella pauses, looks between Ruiz and the taller mechanic. Someone? Is absurdly late to that party and one can almost track the realization on the archaeologist's face when it finally dawns on her. But before she can say anything, she's yoinked towards the dance floor. But her grin is downright effulgent. "I'll leave him in your capable hands, Itzhak! Take care of him!" she calls out before she finally twists to face in the right direction.

"You don't look out of your element." Beth says to Ciprian, and her smile widens. "Got your button down on." She has a sip from her drink before she sets it down. "Does the vest count as two button downs?" Her teasing relents when Stephanie, Leon, and Maggi approach the table. "Hi!" She says with a smile as Ciprian introduces her and invites them to the table. "How's the buffet?" She asks Stephanie, "I'm torn because it looks good, but eating is going to kill my buzz." Another sip is taken from her glass to punctuate the fact that her buzz must not be killed.

August is lucky Eleanor is tall. She can mostly prop him up and lead in this dance, so he doesn't injure himself in his current ultra-clumsy state. It's a slow, 7th-grader style sway, cheek to cheek, for the pair. "Happy New Year, love."

Clarissa waves a hand at Alexander as if to say, technicalities! Agree to disagree! You are very incorrect. It's a very expressive wave, "These shoes were very expensive and I wouldn't like to have someone stepping on them anyway, but I do have something to share with you later about that whole...fiasco," that's a word for it. She looks through the crowd as if searching for someone, giving Vyv a wave when she sees him and gesturing to her throat. Who knows what that might mean.

Hyacinth sees the mad chef looking in need of some consolation, and lifts her glass half finished his way. The imperious designer leans over to Justin and whispers something to him pointing out the rest of the who's who and plans for when that clock strikes with a bit of a wry smile. She looks to the floor and back to Justin, "I love how they say this about me as if it's not a selling feature. Hmm. Soooo I raffled off that carriage, but I was smart enough to also queue my own and I thought I might take some time off smiling like Fundraiser Barbie for a while and we could go."

"Itzhak." Alexander grins bright at the mechanic. "You seem to be having fun." A flicker of his gaze to Ruiz and then back to Izhak. "Have you met Clarissa Robbins? She's the one who put this together. She chairs the Historical Society. And crawled in a dumbwaiter once," he adds, cheerfully. And then there's an August and a comment that has him tilting his head to one side. "Tell you what---" and then he's gone, to the dance floor with Eleanor. Put a pin in that one as he turns back to Clarissa. His mouth ticks down. "I wouldn't step on your feet. I just don't dance." HARUMPH.

"It's up to you," Stephanie replied casually at Beth's question about the buffet, "I just figured, dinner time. The alcohol could wait."

Between Beth and Ciprian, and Maggi and Leon, Stephanie was starting to feel like the third wheel, or the fifth wheel, but she wasn't about to let it bother her, so busied herself with eating.

Ruiz is most ardently not saying a word about who he came in with. Not that it takes a sleuth of any skill to figure it out. At the moment, though, all of his attention is on Isabella. One arm loops her waist, the other hand lifting palm to palm with hers, rough fingers weaving between her more slender ones. And then with a devilish grin, he starts to move her about the dancefloor. No, he's never taken lessons. There's nothing particularly practiced or skilled about him, but he's got both confidence and impeccably good footwork in spades. "She hates my fucking guts," he points out to her, bemused look still in place. "Alexander all right?"

Justin turns as Byron approaches and he smiles, "My family summers here every year, pretty much, since I was a boy. But I actually bought a house several months ago over on Bayside down the road from your building. It seems we've been turning in similar orbits for a while now, but have never actually been properly introduced. A pleasure to meet you." He greets the man and then turns to Lilith and says, "Miss Winslow, a pleasure. I hope you're enjoying the evening, and I'm glad to hear the carriage was a pleasant experience." He glances over to Hyacinth as she indicates that she has one of her own lined up, "I suppose I'll be finding that out for myself later this evening." To Hyacinth he says, "Of course. Whenever you'd like, you let me know."

"Yeah, she's got a hell of a set a lungs on her," Itzhak says about Clarissa, with the tone of a compliment. Why WOULDN'T it be a compliment? He's still red, and actually tugs his tie a little looser, eyes on Ruiz and Isabella. "So, hey, happy new year and whatevah. Love the hat." He finally looks at Alexander, lifting his eyebrows at him like 'how about that, huh?'. "How's you? Doin' okay so far?"

Maggi wasn't entirely sure if she should acknowledge where she had seen Beth previously given the weird circumstances of that night and present setting. She didn't mind Leon introducing her and didn't want to undermine that either. Deciding to at least try, she gives the least sarcastic grin she is capable of looking towards Beth. "Is your friend doing better? The one from the charity event?" That was the most mild way that was going to be put. Noticing Stephanie's unease she slides her cocktail towards her taking a seat. "Lemme know if you think it's good enough to learn, I need to rank the ones I want to try out at the Pourhouse, personal goal." Maggi had not seen Ciprian with Beth at the last event, they must be new? Or new together rather. Seeing the clock made Maggi nervous, she actually had never had a New Years kiss.

Vyv continues over toward Hyacinth, giving Clarissa a nod and small smile at her wave, then pauses at the gesture. It takes a moment before he seems to figure out what it means, or remembers the spy countersign or whatever, since he gets something of an 'ah' expression and lifts his chin a bit, lengthening his neck, and gestures with fingers down along it and what looks like a... reassuring expression? Assuring, at least. When the desserts start coming out, perhaps a connection might be made by others. Or maybe they're just weird. He doesn't fully stop until he's reached Justin and Hyacinth, the latter of which gets a pair of airkisses of greeting. "Good evening," he says to them both, and whoever else is still with them, since his player can't seem to keep track (sorry).

August savors the dance for all that Eleanor has to do most of the work. It's reminiscent of his first attempts at dancing after recovering, but not in a bad way. He's got Eleanor here to keep an eye on him, and a couple decades on is even willing to let someone do it. "Happy New Year, sweetheart," he murmurs back, leaning in to give her a light kiss. Nothing too inappropriate for public company, though he does fumble a few dance steps in the process. He laughs at they misstep. Another brief kiss, this one for her forehead. "I love you. Here's to more, hopefully with less chaos."

"She does," Alexander agrees, although he's watching Itzhak now, looking deeply amused at the redness. He reaches up to touch the hat at the compliment. "It does look...nice." A pause. "Not that there's much call for a Panama hat under most circumstances in the Pacific Northwest." He turns to give the eye to the chocolate swans. "Oh, they look nice," he tells Clarissa. He does try to fulfill his promise, grabbing two plates and juggling them about as he fills them with bits. One plate tends to end up with more savory and spicy options, while the other has more sweets.

The comment about two button downs does make Ciprian laugh, and he has to reply, "You got me. I do like them." He runs a hand over the buttons quickly, before he looks to Stephanie as she sits down. "Now that you have food, can I go grab you a drink? Something thematic? Or just alcoholic, either one." He smiles, standing up halfway with eyebrows raised in a questioning look. "I might go grab some food, too. I think my buzz will survive it." He looks from Leon to Maggi then, perhaps extending the offer of bringing either of them a drink as well.

Lilith flashes an encouraging smile at those departing in various ways for the dance floor while working around the room with Byron. Her champagne glass has been drained with small sips over time, and when a tray comes by, she does a trade off, holding the flute between black silk fingers. And on their way to make the next greeting/introduction, she puts on a flash of amiable smile for Justin, though there's a glance stolen up at Byron with fondness at the better half commentary, "Hello there. Nice to meet you! Especially when Byron goes playing flattery in the introductions."

Then the lights and everything starts changing in anticipation of the encroaching new year and whatever Lilith was about to ask or say to Justin with continued conversation or pleasantry is forgotten after an intake of breath. She takes a long drink and tells company nearby, instead with pull on Byron's arm to the dance floor, "I'm sorry to be so brief, but timing. Perhaps we'll run into each other again in less of a crowd. I have to steal this one so we can have one dance before the year ends, I think that's the five minute warning."

Then to Byron she explains needlessly, "Can you feel your feet now, handsome? I'm about to test them."

As she picked up the cocktail, there was a grateful smile on Stephanie's face. Maggi always had an alcohol based answer to many of her problems. She took a sip of the cocktail and gave an approving look. "Wow, that's a good one. I look forward to seeing it in your repertoire at the Pourhouse."

Later, Stephanie looked up to the clock to see it was almost midnight. Glancing past both couples at the tables, she excused herself and took a walk. She wasn't going to stick around with all the couples kissing. "Excuse me, I'm going to get some fresh air."

She can't be said to be the most graceful dancer to ever hit the dance floor, but Isabella is all fire and enthusiasm, youth and vitality taking over even as her first step finds the top of Ruiz's foot. "Ah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" She laughs openly despite the literal misstep, though at the very least she doesn't flush. But she attempts to get her bearings in the end, though this is clearly the most difficult part of dancing, for her - the fact that someone has to lead, and she has to follow. Ruiz's footwork honestly makes her look like a drunken gazelle, but she appears to be having an absolute ball embarrassing herslf in front of everyone else. There's a reason why she learned Flamenco during that one summer in Spain - it's a performance art, and largely done solo.

"It's been a while," she tells the police captain as she pivots along with the movements he makes. Though his remarks about Clarissa has her blinking. "She had a hard time, during the investigation over her husband's death," she murmurs to him in explanation. "She was cleared, but there's plenty about the process she didn't like. I can't say if I blame her if I'd have been put in her shoes." Regarding Alexander, she smiles faintly. "I think so. He had a rough few patches these holidays...and...I didn't really help with that. Not really." She glances away, though she tries not to make it obvious, her emerald stare falling past his shoulder. "But we had...our holidays were great. I...he met my Dad, and my family. It went well. And this isn't really his scene, he knows that he's not obligated to come with me to any of these, but...it's important to him, you know? To do this. He does this for himself." There's affection there, unbridled and unmitigated.

"Some party is a pretty elegant understatement, I think." Leon jokes, "Gotta say, first time I've been to something this crazy. Even the Military Balls aren't this fancy." He gets that same crinkle at the edges of his eyes, "Names are familiar." He looks to Beth, briefly leveling the back of a fork, "Lawson Funeral Home?" And to Ciprian, "Kosimar... Either a lawyer or a baker?" He had done research on the local businesses, at least to see where he could sell his services. Maggi gets a strange side-eye, the comment seeming to confuse and intrigue him. Ciprian is offered the tumbler he already had gladly, "You fly, I buy. Tell them Gyre tab. Bourbon, any kind."

Beth looks slightly confused at Maggi's question before her eyes widen slightly in comprehension. "Oh! Right. I actually only know him through work. He's a peculiar guy." That's putting it mildly. "Nervous, you know? I bumped into him a few days after it happened and he was...well, himself." It could be observed that she doesn't say 'okay'. When Ciprian gets up and offers to get Stephanie a drink she says, "I don't think some mararons and tarts will kill my buzz. Besides, they are passing out more champagne so I'll just drink more." And then Stephanie is getting up to get air, and her brow raises ever so slightly. She tenses, like she looks like she's thinking about going after her, before she chooses not to and instead sits back in her chair. When Leon mentions the funeral home she smiles, "That's us. I'm the Funeral Director. And Ciprian is the lawyer, but his parents own the bakery."

"I know," replies de la Vega, when Clarissa's ordeal with her husband's death is brought up. His eyes flick toward her briefly, then back to his dance partner. "You're too hard on yourself," he intimates into Isabella's ear, then gives her cheek a kiss as the dance is concluded, and she's handed back off to Alexander with a flourish. With the clock about to strike midnight, he has a very important promise to keep. And that involves prowling up to Itzhak, curving his hand around the back of the man's head, and hauling him in to impart something very quietly. Against his mouth. Okay, so it's not a whisper at all, he's planting one on him. Blame the scotch! Or the mistletoe! There's mistletoe here somewhere, isn't there?

"Evening," Justin says to Vyv when he makes his way over. "Everything is wonderful, as always." Then he smiles to Lilith and says, "Certainly, and I'm sure that we will. Happy New Year." He lifts a glass in salute to them. But as time grows closer to the ringing in of the New Year, he asks Hyacinth, "Shall we have a dance, and then perhaps that carriage ride as our first adventure of the New Year?"

"Lawyer," Ciprian confirms after Beth with another laugh. "I guess you can't hide in a town this small, can you?" He doesn't seem bothered by it, of course. If he was, he should probably go somewhere else. The lift of the glass and Leon's words have him nodding once, though, and he adds, "I'm not going to argue with that. I'll bring back some exciting non-buzzkilling things as well." This is to Beth, before he starts away toward the bar.

"You too, huh?" Byron says to Justin, looking quite apologetic that he has some connection to the town. "I hope, at the very least, that you're enjoying your stay in Gray Harbor despite..." He's not exactly sure what Justin's experience has been like here, but he makes a vague wave of his hand. But the Lilith is tugging at him now to drag onto the dance floor. "Well, it was nice meeting you more formally after all these years, now if you will excuse me." He then adds to Justin, Hyacinth and Vyv probably, as the suited guy just showed up, "Happy New Years!" Was Byron enthusiastic to go dancing? Despite this icy grasp that seems to have gotten ahold of him, his features looking pale despite his willing himself to stop shivering, his body doesn't hurt as much as it did a few days ago. "Looks like we're gonna have to see, now won't we? And if I start to sway or lose my balance, I'll always have you to act as my cushion." He doesn't look at Lilith directly when he says this, but he is wearing an amused smile.

More like thanking the scotch, or mistletoe, or whatever! Itzhak winds an arm around Ruiz and gives as good as he gets, flushed bright beet red. There might be swooning going on. "...C'mon," he tells him, breathless and flustered, "you're dancin' with me, Cap."

You're too hard on yourself, breathed in her ear, the swing of her earring catching the light at the gesture. Isabella's smile is a rueful one - an expression that tells Javier that she knows, and that there are reasons for that, the least of which being that she can't help it. The kiss on her cheek has her eyes lidding faintly. "You're not one to talk, captain," she tells him, reaching out to poke him on his side, her grin returning, flaring like a flashfire, and just as brief before she's led back off the dance floor. "Thanks for the dance, Javier." She even gives him a bow once she's handed off, before Itzhak is hauled up and off to be granted his just desserts. She's still trying to wrap her head around this latest development, but there's a fond grin towards them both, finding her way back to Alexander as Clarissa heads back up the stage.

"I feel like I'm woefully behind on some things," she remarks towards the investigator.

August can just about handle a champagne flute in one hand and loop the other arm around Eleanor. They kiss as the band strikes up the song, give each other a drink of champagne at August's suggestion. He manages to not spill his flute all over the two of them. Then they're off searching for food so they can sit down and nibble a bit, sitting at a table, where August won't be at risk of tripping on anything.

Maggi frowns slightly at Stephanie's exit, though she remains seated herself. It's not like you could try to fix everyone's problems all the time, especially when they seemed to want to be alone. That's what she had started telling herself after her conversation with Easton anyway. Graciously she takes a champagne when it comes round, knowing better than to try to argue Leon into tradition. Maggi smiles politely at Beth's analysis. The countdown makes her heart skip, unsure of what exactly she was supposed to do at a time like this, awkwardly raising her glass in cheers to the onstage hostess.

As Isabella is delivered back to him, Alexander smiles. He sets the plates aside to take her into his arms. He may not dance, but he shows no sign of not being able to draw her into a warm embrace, bending his head just enough to make it clear he wants to be ready when the clock sounds. "They're good together," he murmurs, with a shrug. But his eyes don't stray from hers, dark and intent.

Leon is quick to make sure a waiter is snagged and five champagne glasses are set on the table, a side-eye glance made in Stephanie's departure, but the drink would be waiting for her return regardless. He always tried to make sure people were taken care of. A hand signal is made in Ciprian's direction as soon as he can catch the man's eye, so he doesn't have to waste effort on the traditional stuff. "Not being creepy. I just started my locksmithing business, was just eyeballing the big names to see where I should send cards." A look is turned in Maggi's direction as the countdown begins, a hand taking hers and circling it under his bicep so he can shift in his seat and make sure he was in plenty of proximity. A second left in the year has him dipping his face in as his thumb lifts to run along Maggi's jaw and guide her into a gentle kiss, then slowly withdrawing so he can take a sip of his flute, grinning at the blonde like she was the only thing worth looking at in the room.

Lilith doesn't go getting fancy with dancing, though Byron might expect it once they're out on the floor together, her hand dropping off the champagne she drained again to get some time in with her tall dark and handsome by way of touch instead of fancy footwork. She knows he's still struggling and physically compromised from event days before this very festive night, so her silk-clad hands and arms wrap up with placement about his neck and shoulders, stroking the short hairs at the nape of his neck using feathering touch while they step together into sway and turn and dance of movement for a spell, "I'm soft and plush in all the right places, make sure you aim right when you fall to squish me."

Then, looking up at Byron while they dance, she murmurs with private conversing in brief, "I know this past year has been difficult. But... I'm so glad I came back. I have you back. I never thought, in truth, I'd get that chance. I can get through anything with you at my side. Just like before, you and me against the world, isn't it?" The world in Gray Harbor is pretty mean, but Lilith sounds so certain under the din of the music.

They wind to pause, naturally, in the space before the countdown when the mic is taken for addressing. But mostly, Lilith's eyes are upward while she listens to the speech, looking into Byron's dark eyes during the countdown as well, lips slanted into helpless smile.

At the stroke of midnight five minutes after her departure, Stephanie finds herself at the doorway to the room where the party was happening, she was watching and observing, the fanfare, and the countdown, and didn't consider going back to the table it was two minutes later when the confetti cannons went off too late. She couldn't help but feel lonely despite being surrounded by people. Still, she wasn't going to bail, she wasn't going to run away, not this time. She was determined to make the best out of her evening. So ten minutes after her departure, she returned, five minutes into the New Year.

"Sorry, guys, I just...I needed a moment." She looked at the champagne flute sitting next to the cocktail from Maggi and she gave a grateful smile to everyone at table, as she continued drinking the cocktail.

"I hope so," Isabella tells Alexander honestly, her expression growing soft. "Javier needs good things, too..." Shadows cast by his face leaves one side of her right cheek limned with light, Lilith's earring glittering against her earlobe. The lock their gazes make and the look within eyes like living night leaving the rest of her words unsaid, however, and her lashes lid all over again, forever a creature enslaved by her every physical sense. She drinks it all in - not just the expression directed at her, or the tilt of his head, but the effects he generates; the wild beating of her heart and the way it pounds against bone, liable to shatter it, how she's unable to draw away from the deliciously insidious trap he makes, because he makes it so that she doesn't want to break away from it.

Once midnight strikes, her arms are around him, fingers slipping through the cluster of dark half-curls behind his head. There is nothing brief or chaste about her kiss, every fiber of her being and spirit poured into it. She may have embarrassed herself with Javier earlier, but she doesn't mind doing the same here, also.

"Happy New Year," she tells him very, very quietly.

Ciprian does return, whether he's seen the gesture from Leon or not -- he must have, because he only has a plate of desserts instead of another round of drinks, since those have already been procured. "I can understand that," he says with a nod to Stephanie, and he pushes the plate nearer to her in response, sitting down again. He has missed the countdown and the kissing, but he doesn't seem too distraught about it. Neither does he try to make it up, lifting his glass to Beth with a smile instead of anything more affectionate. He does, however, say, "Happy New Year," as he looks around the table to include the rest of his companions in that sentiment.

Hyacinth sets her drink on a passing tray and OOH, Clarissa's swans! Awww they're so pretty and delicate and adorable and making her want to use her teeth to snap it in half. She turns to Justin and smiles warmly waiting to reply after he greets Vyv, "I'm actually rather fond of this plan, Mr. Cooper." But the countdown goes on and her finger goes up for a pause. "Tomorrow morning both you boys should be at my place for a surprise breakfast. I might have something preplanned and no. I promise I had no hand in making anything it's safe."

"I don't disagree," Alexander says, simply, to Isabella. At midnight, he dips his head down and pulls her closer still to properly enjoy the kiss. And whatever keeps him from dancing, it can't entirely be the fear of public displays, because he's more than happy to be a part of this one. When the kiss breaks, he takes a breath, before planting another on Isabella's nose, just the very tip, and murmuring, "May the new year be everything good in the world for you, Miss Reede."

"Happy New Year, everyone," Stephanie says to the table after finishing her cocktail, this time raising her champagne flute and taking a sip from it, barely audible over the music but still able to be heard.

Seeing Ciprian push the plate of desserts towards her, Stephanie takes a small cream puff and begins to eat it. She gives Ciprian a questioning glance before she asks, "So how do you know Beth?" Her tone is mostly curious and with the mildest hint of intoxication.

"I think that can be arranged," Justin says to Hyacinth regarding the New Year's breakfast. Then he is leading her out onto the floor just in time for that dance as the countdown begins, and when it finally reaches one, he slips an arm around her waist and draws her up against him leaning down to press his lips to hers in a slow, unhurried, and full New Year's kiss. When it breaks, he continues that slow dance to ring in the New Year, and leans in to murmur something into her ear, as the music plays on, a laugh finally coming from him when the anemic little spurt of gold confetti comes late. "Well, better late than never, I suppose."

Beth switches out her sidecar for the flute of champagne and raises it up to count down along with everyone else. When the countdown finishes she takes a drink and claps with a bright smile on her face. Ciprian's lift of his glass is met with a clinking of her glass against his, and then she picks up a champagne glass, hands it to Stephanie when she returns, and clinks her glass against it. "Happy New Year Eeyore." This is said teasingly. She reaches for one of the macarons from the dessert plate and pops it in her mouth. She adds, a little late, to Leon, "Don't worry about creeping me out. I'm a mortician." This is said with a quirk of her lips.

"Mm. I don't know." Because it's in her nature to be contrary too, a winning, defiant smile tossed Alexander's way. "If everything was good, I wouldn't learn anything and I'm the stubborn sort that doesn't get it until I stick the fork in the socket." She seems accepting of that very specific flaw also. But there's no despair in Isabella's features when she confesses it, drawn close and smiling up at him. Her arms tighten over his shoulders, pressing another kiss on his mouth after he deposits a token on the tip of her nose. "I apologize in advance for it." Said playfully, but that mischievous, mercurial look fades the longer she looks up at his face. "I hope 2020 brings you plenty of good things also, Mister Clayton," she tells him quietly. "I wish you nothing but happiness." A pause, and a somewhat flattened and comical look. "And continued good health. Because, as you very well know, that's important to me also."

Ruiz is busy giving Itzhak that promised dance, glass of alcohol balanced carefully in one hand. And conversing quietly with the taller, leaner man while they twist and jive and generally look like they're having not a half-bad time. Hey, it keeps him from having to socialise with anyone else.

Byron's muscles aren't as stiff and achy as they were just the other day, but with how cold that he feels, and she can sense it by touch alone, his movements are done with slow care. His cane is set aside for now, left to rest against a wall near the fireplace. Nevertheless, he'll work to carry himself in that dashing, debonair way, if to give Lilith the best New Years experience that he can muster. "It's been..." He starts, his eyes idly scanning the room with this countdown going through his mind, "It's been a crazy year with a lot of ups and downs. I'd like to think that it was filled with more positivity than anything else, but..." He returns to look upon her now, "I know that it was filled with just as much pain. But," His words warm as this smile creeps across his lips, "You returned, which was a huge surprise to me." Even though he'd rather she be somewhere safe and out of Gray Harbor, "You, Isabella. A lot of the old gang. So.. I feel pretty damned blessed just due to that alone."

The countdown stops, but the confetti and such show up belatedly, covering the room in gold flakes. It marks the New Year, nevertheless, something which brings his chin up, eyes looking at the world around him. "Happy New Year, sweets." Those dark eyes return to stare deeply into her bright blues. "You and me against the world. Like old times." They sway slowly in each other's arms with bits of gold shinies and the like peppering their hair. He repeats something that he'd just said, "Happy New Year." Before leaning forward for a passionate kiss on the dance floor.

Alexander rolls his eyes. "Fine," he says, with something like a laugh. "May you have exactly as much good as you can handle without stunting your further growth or making you need to seek out light sockets in which to stick silverware. Speaking of," he returns that kiss with interest, then gently steps back so he can reach for their plates, and hand her the one without the chocolate swan, although there are some delectable, more savory, pieces. "And I'll try to remain mostly in one piece."

Maggi was surprised by the guiding hand and kiss, but far from disappointed. Blue eyes stare downward bashfully at her own flute, lowered as her face was turned. A less composed person may have been blushing, his effect on her undermining her carefully curated vibe over several years in this town. Upon Stephanie's return, she playfully clinks her glass to hers, taking a few sips. She stands and finishes her glass, heading to grab a few more drinks, and to give herself a moment to process without looking foolish. "A bourbon, and a couple of specialty cocktails fine for the next round?" She poses eagerly, trying not to stare too hard at how dapper Leon looked.

"Thanks for noticin' me," Ciprian replies to Beth, in quite a good Eeyore impression -- of course, it's not the hardest impression to do, but whatever, it was good. Once the toast is completed, he takes a sip from his glass, and then reaches for one of the desserts himself. Since he brought them, he deserves one! "We knew each other in passing for years, but we never really hung out much until recently," he says as he turns to Stephanie. "How could I resist wanting to be friends with someone who made that awesome commercial?" It's just a bit teasing as he looks over to Beth briefly again.

Vyv inclines his head to Justin's remark about things being wonderful, giving the man a faint smile, and lifting his glass as well to him, Byron, and Lilith. "Happy new year," he agrees, and adds to Justin, "Lovely suit." A glance to take in Hyacinth's dress up close where the details are clear, and he adds, "You look fabulous, of course." A brow lifts slightly at the breakfast remark, and he nods, though there's not much else to say as he's left alone again.

As the countdown goes on, he just watches things quietly until the last few numbers, when he joins in just at a murmur, "Three... two... one. Happy new year, I suppose." To no one in particular, really. A sip of the champagne, as one does, and he watches all the dancing and kissing for a few moments before turning to look out one of the windows, glass in one gloved hand, the other supporting that arm's elbow. His jaw shifts faintly, and he turns, striding over to check on the trays of desserts again. Proper arrangement, chocolates and decorations glittering like jewels, not a single broken swan neck. Still perfect. That's what matters, of course.

Stephanie nodded politely at Ciprian's explanation in response to her question after the toast. "That commercial was pretty great," she commented with an amused chuckle herself.

"Yes please, I don't care what's in it, I'll drink it," Stephanie said in response to Maggi's offer of more alcohol, the appreciative smile on her face returned.

"Listen, you're the one constantly pointing out the importance of precision and accuracy and I'm simply attempting to learn from someone older and wiser than I am. You should be very proud of me," Isabella says lightly, before he hands her a plate full of spicy appetizers and the bacon-wrapped scallops she requested - the fact that he remembered to leave out the desserts leaves her aglow. "You really do like me," she tells him with a laugh, planting a kiss on his cheek and fishing out one of the toothpicks. There's a glance at his plate, though, curiosity there. "Oh, the chocolate swans look perfect. Honestly, I thought Missus Robbins was actually going to kill Michael if he didn't find a way to get the right ones. And I think..." She searches the room, her emerald stare falling on Vyv. "Mister Vydal!" she calls out from across the room. "I hope you know I think you saved us all today!" She gestures to the perfect chocolate swan on Alexander's platter to emphasize what she means, eyes lit with mirth.

Itzhak dances well, as anybody who knows him knows, and anybody who doesn't might be surprised by. He whirls around the dance floor with Ruiz, grinning at him half bashful and half blatantly enjoying himself. There might be nuzzling and kissing and the gossips in town are gonna have a field day with this one. Eventually Itzhak has to track down Rebecca, though, and sweeps her off while informing her, "You work too much, Carr," with a wicked grin. And after that he passes her off to Ruiz and bounds over to the band, where his violin is stashed. Musician talk ensues, chords and keys and tempos and then they all start playing, Itzhak swapping off the lead with the clarinet, back and forth, fiddle and woodwind and brass and upright bass. There's no better way for him to start the new year.

Andy returns to Clarissa's side, helpfully holding two drinks, both of which have moist confetti floating around on top. "Well. That was eventful." He offers her a fouled drink and leans in to give her a traditional New Years peck on the cheek. "Sorry about that. Had to take a call. Did I miss anything?" He looks around at the confetti strewn floor and all the people celebrating post-countdown. "Ah. I guess I did. Well. Happy new year." He holds up a chocolate swan, snaps it's neck and hands over the head to Clarissa. "Good job on the swans!"

Looking pretty pleased with himself, Leon joins the clinking of glasses and returns his own wish of "Happy New Year!" to those at the table, his eyes briefly drawn with a warm smile after Maggi's briefly departing form. Stephanie's comment is given a brief warning look, "Careful with that sentiment, I've had to taste some of her test mixes." Beth's smirk is returned at the slightly dark reminder of her profession, "Duly noted." A sideways glance is given to Ciprian, then back to Beth, "Ok, wait, commercial? Was there a green screen?" he asks amusedly, reaching to snag something small and sweet, probably a truffle or something, to pop in his mouth.

"There is a time for precision, Isabella. And then there's a time to accept a holiday well-wishing in the spirit it was meant," Alexander teases. "Although I am, in fact, very proud of you." And he beams at the rest. But when the chocolate swan is mentioned, he reaches out, picks it up, and neatly bites the head off. SNIP. It is, of course, delicious. And when Isabella notes this to Vyv, he helpfully raises the headless swan in salute.

Beth lets out a snort at Ciprian's impression of Eeyore, and shakes her head slightly. To Stephanie she explains, "Ciprian's sister is Minerva Kosimar. I think she was in the same grade as you." She groans aloud when the commercial is mentioned, and washes her groan down with the remainder of her Sidecar. When Leon inquires about the commercial she makes a little face. Putting down her drink she explains, "My grandpa and dad were the funeral directors before me, and they still have ownership of the funeral home along with me even though I run it. My grandpa is really into bad local commercials. It's..." She grimaces, "Well, it's a commercial."

Hyacinth is pulled and is not shy about letting that kiss melt the ice sculpture in the room a bit. It's something to be said to leave the exacting woman smiling (always better than the alternatives). Hya's eyes light up at whatever is murmured to her holding the smile with it, though she pauses turning to Vyv, her hand slipping from Justin's for a moment. Is he busy looking perfect like those little swans? yes. Does she mind? Not the lease as one had finds his shoulder and a kiss is pressed to his cheek. (no it's not leaving smudges, calm thyself) "It will be a happy new year this time, Vyv. Or else." Ultimatiums are a sign of affection and solidarity right? She promises their return, but right now? Her hand flits once and finds Justin's and lets him lead. She's more stylish than she is a dancer, and all the points are awarded to her for not having it held against her. Hand finds shoulder and thus goes to dance at a closeness that will make several private school nuns quite cross.

Clarissa gives Andy an incredulous look that turns slightly murderous when he snaps that swan's neck. She opens her mouth, closes it, looks down at the swan head in her hand, then shrugs and takes a bite. Might as well start the new year right by eating forbidden foods in the shape of animal heads.

"Yes, sir," Isabella says, though some part of her does look contrite in that; she's never made it a secret that she's terrible with feelings, and her humor is often misplaced when she's fighting them. But his teasing does earn him a smile back and she settles in next to him to tuck into her food, because she's now in the revision stage of her submissions and she's bloody starving - she hasn't had anything at all today. It's...also a little embarrassing to watch her demolish an entire plate of food in seconds, but at least she isn't messy about it. She also sneaks a drink off Alexander's glass.

"It really was," Ciprian says with a widening smile, and he finishes his drink, looking over at Leon. "If only," he laments, though it doesn't come off as particularly sad, considering. He nods at Beth's words about his sister, though, and reaches to snag another cream puff from the plate he's brought, his attention momentarily caught by the dancers. Well, some of them have sparkly stuff on them from the cannon, so it stands to reason.

The recognition flashes in her eyes. "Oh yeah, I know her face! I don't think we really talked that much though. Wow. I had no idea you and Ciprian knew each other." Stephanie chuckles before she says, "The things you miss when you're caught up in your own thing..." She lets her voice trail off at that comment before she stuffs a macaroon in her mouth, the coconut flavor one of her favorite things.

She grins after the consumption of the treat and adds, "I'm not worried, Leon. I'm ready for it. Tonight's not the night for being careful. Besides, Maggi always come through with something delicious."

Alexander watches Isabella eat with amusement, his own consumption more sedate. And he focuses on his own sweet items - when she polishes off her plate, he shares his savory ones with her without hesitation. Once both plates are done, he sets them aside to be collected, then murmurs to her, "Was there anyone else you wanted to see? Or shall we make our way out of the roaring twenties and back into the...twenty twenties?"

August and Eleanor do a couple more tours around the room so August can steal a variety of people for a dance (Itzhak, Isabella, Hyacinth) and likewise allow Eleanor a chance to dance with people a bit more up to the task than he is. But eventually, they head back out, to enjoy the rest of the evening in peace and quiet, in front of a nice, hot fire.

Vyv gives Hyacinth a faint smile at her reassurance, and after she's gone, does something slightly unusual for him: fails not to look briefly startled at the sound of someone suddenly calling his name from a distance away. He glances over to see the source, and to what Isabella's referring, and it draws a small but genuine smile, then a very deliberate little bow. "Thank you," he calls back, "So few people appreciate the importance of these things against the otherwise inevitable murder, mayhem, and unsatisfying calories." He's not eating them himself, at present, but it's good to see others are. And that no one's been obliged to set the house ablaze. Yet. He finishes his champagne, and sets the glass on a tray, finding another to follow it. Something slightly stronger and less festive this time, perhaps.

Beth notices Ciprian watching the dancers. She picks up her flute of champagne to finish it off before she stands up, and bows rather gallantly to him. "Sir, might I have the honor of doing the Charleston with you on this Eve of the year Two Thousand and Twenty." She laughs a little after she says this because she is a little drunk and also painfully aware of how ridiculous she sounds.

There's a bright laugh tossed Vyv's way. "I think tonight is the night unsung heroes ought to get their dues," she tells him gamely and returns his bow with her own. "I'm just telling it the way it is."

Alexander's words about possibly leaving has her parting her lips to respond. "I-- " Isabella is about to agree, when August comes up and steals her for a dance. "How could I say no? I'll be right back." She pecks Alexander's cheek lightly, and off she goes to dance with the Combat Botanist. She does step on his foot, once or twice, but she's laughing the entire time as she's whirled on the dance floor. He, too, gets a kiss - but she is careful when she does it, pressing her lips against the air close to his cheek.

After some lighthearted banter with August and Eleanor once the two are returned to one another, Isabella makes her way back to the investigator's side, and look, she even brought their coats! With a parting wave towards Byron and Lilith still on the dance floor, she'll make her way out with Alexander.

Ciprian looks back when Beth asks him to dance, and a laugh of his own escapes him at the exact way she puts it, but it doesn't mean he's going to say no. "Sure," he says, and he stands up, too, offering his hand to her. "Why not?" He nods to the rest of those at his table, before he leads Beth away to do just that.

The bartender had simply given up as Maggi had ordered and given her a serving tray upon which now sat a tumbler of bourbon, and a few other assorted fancy glasses. She places them down at the table and sets the bourbon before Leon, and one with mint atop it before her own seat. "The other three are a Side car, Corpse Reviver, and a Gin Ricky. Alllsooooo," Maggi spreads three shot glasses out between those still sitting, vodka. Raising her shot glass to Beth and Ciprian's exit, she knocks hers back.

Stephanie grinned at Maggi upon her return. The girl never failed to deliver. As she found herself at the bottom of her champagne flute, she eyed the vodka shot before throwing it back down, and selecting the Sidecar as her proverbial chaser. Man was she going to get so drunk! But she didn't care, it had been at least 2 months since she'd let herself enjoy this sort of thing. 2 months since Maggi had given her this sort of treatment at the Pourhouse.

"Cheers, y'all!" she says before taking a sip of her Sidecar.

Lilith tips her face up into Byron's drop of passionate kiss when midnight strikes, and she stays that way shamelessly kissing back with sealing, intimate mesh of their lips, decorated by the gold confetti that falls. Before they hit natural and eventual close of that moment, though, she takes a moment to nuzzle her nose with his and murmur, riveted to his eyes anew, "You've given me the stars and the moon. Happy new year, darling. Love you." Drawing back some, she slips a hand around to dust one of her silk-clad fingertips along the line of Byron's jaw with adoration, eyes still riveted for a few heartbeats afterwards.

Gradually, she picks up dance again, though, staying out on the floor with Byron, absorbed in him, the steady slow and gentle sway of their movement, and the music. It stays like that for a while, but she doesn't keep him out there overlong now that the New Year is on them and the height of the festivities have taken their turn. At some point, she murmurs request or sentiment to him that has them slipping out for their coats, saying their farewells on the way to spend the rest of the night together instead of in a crowd.

"Oh sweet jesus..." Leon intones quietly as the transparently filled shot glass is set before him, "Drive home'll be interesting." Regardless, momma didn't raise no bitch, and the glass is claimed off the table, hefted carefully in the air with the remaining company. He takes his shot, chasing it with bourbon, because that's a great idea. "Welp, everyone's dancing..." He observes after a moment, looking from woman to woman, "But, I still have all this food. And I'm really horrible..." He rests back in his chair, hand on his chest as if struggling, falsely, theatrically lamenting, "Go on without me!" The bourbon tumbler is held to his forehead, as if he needed it not to faint.

Stephanie cheered as Leon took his shot, a wide intoxicated smile on her face. "Listen, you're going to waste your evening at this table instead of taking advantage of the music and the dance floor to take this beautiful young lady for a spin? Not on my watch! Besides, I'm the third wheel here, you can't take that away from me!" The tone she takes is that of a playful drunk as she continues on. "Besides, I have a date with this Sidecar thanks to Maggi. I'm fiiiiine. Go have fun!"

She takes her phone and takes a slightly blurry selfie, before sending it off.

Maggi giggles at Leon's dramatic moment, squinting. "I think I will just stay at this here table with booze, Stephanie, and apparently my new date Scarlet O'Hara." The mint topped drink is lemony and delicious. "I am not a dancer, I am a brooder, a judger, and a consumer of alcohol. That is until Mae decides to teach classes, pole I can get behind." Another few sips are taken before a tiny snack is ingested. Looking towards Stephanie she remarks "The only thing that got me through the last charity even I attended was like seven Jell-O shots, Leon is the only one good at schmoozing." Maggi winks one sapphire eye toward him at this. "Besides, my heart truly belongs to Hera's cat after all." She takes a few more sips between giggles.

"Wasting nothing when I'm in good company." Leon retorts to Stephanie's prodding. Maggi gets a more-than-obvious side eye at the pole-dance comment, the type that goes up and down her form, then quite diplomatically straight outward into a thousand yard stare as he realizes just how bad that probably looked. Another stabilizing sip of bourbon please, since that apparently was so helpful to the situation. He should haven eaten before coming. He shrugs after a moment, seeming to pick up on something, and countering, "I'm a picker, and a grinner. Some say a lover and a sinner." He can't help but crack into a grin at the last part, knowing the old song lines were a pretty weak joke they'd hopefully excuse him for. He sighs wistfully at Maggi's assertion of her heart's desire, "Second fiddle to a furball."

Vyv watches things for a few more minutes before he finds himself moving to look at the world outside the window again for a while, sipping that drink. Eventually, he ends up emulating Stephanie's example without even having seen it -- he rather spoils the period effect of his outfit by slipping a cellphone out of an inner pocket, and taking a selfie. The lens gets another small, wry smile, and the drink lifted like a toast, and whatever the result is must have passed some sort of muster because it seems to get sent off somewhere before the phone gets tucked away again.

Stephanie let out an amused giggle as Maggi explained herself and her whole situation with dancing and her desire to learn to pole dance. Her experience at the charity event made the brunette smile, totally relating to that story. "Did we just become best friends? I'm pretty sure we just became best friends."

She's holding a conversation but also periodically sending texts out, whenever there's a break in the conversation or it wasn't her turn to speak. She was having far too much of a good time with her Sidecar.

"Damnnnn...I don't get to let loose often enough...but like, drinking by yourself is so lame...and I haven't had a date in like, forever...geez."

Maggi gives a cheshire grin at Leon's reference, turning to sip her drink again. "Damn straight." She says without looking, her drink now only half full. The smile is turned onto Stephanie at the mention of a date. "I'll take you out!" The statement was partially to irk Leon, and also a portion genuine. Having been single herself for a significant period of time, she was well aware that some personal attention was nice once in a while. "Then you can shoo me off when a hottie comes up and wants to take over the date."

"That'll never happen to me," Stephanie says, her words slurring, her own drink was a little past the midway point and mixed with the vodka, it was hitting her nice and hard. "There's always someone prettier that comes along and takes the hottie away before I can find the courage to get him myself." Her playful drunk tone seemed disconnected to the statement she's making, as if she's trying to play it off as a witty remark but only getting halfway there in her drunken state. "Maybe I want to be that girl one day. The girl who acts first. The girl who isn't scared." She chuckles, there's a hint of bitterness as she downs the last of the sidecar.

Leon makes a flattening quirk of his lips as Maggi offers to take Steph out, raising his glass again to his lips. Apparently, if the blonde wanted to take the woman out on a date, he wasn't going to be irked. Intrigued, but not irked. "Sounds like a New Year's Resolution to me." He leans a bit in Stephanie's direction, stage whispering, "She likes cheese fries, vodka drinks, and don't dare suggest going to Two If By Sea. Phenomenal kisser, though. Ten out of ten, would recommend." He straightens again, staring off at the dance floor, theatrically distracted, holding in a grin poorly.

One quarter left on her own drink she decides to finish it, then moves one of the two remaining drinks before each of her table mates. Maggi squeezes Leon's arm affectionately, tittering at his words. "I'm going to be honest in the fact that you probably wouldn't like anyone I could set you up with from the bar, lot of frequenters. I'll keep an eye out though if we get fresh blood sometime soon. I think you will be just fine given your looks and brains, besides he only took me on a date by accident anyhow. The Harbor is a strange place." Maggi makes a few taps on her phone before looking up again. "I think we are going to have to grab an Uber before the town runs out, but you are welcome to join if you need a ride home Stephanie. Regardless, Leon has seven minutes to finish his drinks." She grins playfully at him.

Stephanie glances at Leon with a grateful look before she gives him a grin. "Thanks for the tip," she replies, in the same stage whisper as his.

When Maggi took the drinks and passed them along, Stephanie went ahead and drank what was set in front of her. There was no turning back, drinking it as fast as she can.

"I'd love an Uber. It's probably for the best if we share. I live on 30 Elm."

She texts Beth to let her know that she's going to be taking an Uber and going home as to not worry her best friend.

Drinks... She said drinks, plural... Leon looks confused as he takes the final sip of his bourbon. Was she getting him another bourbon? Oh shit, what was this concoction before him... He smells it, "Ugh, is this gin?" even while grimacing he takes a heavy pull of it, can't be that bad. Regardless, he shoots a face-scrunched look of disgust in Maggi's direction, questioning his resolve to stay true to his upbringing. "Are you trying to kill me? You haven't even moved in yet, you can't keep the house." Then he eyes Stephanie literally killing it. With a stoic glance at the ceiling, he pounds the rest of the cocktail, briefly tapping the table with a fist as he swallows, then lofting a hand to a waiter so he can call his tab to close. "So glad I got a fresh bottle of Maker's at home." His tongue makes an appearance before he grabs a pastry to cleanse his pallet of the gin taste.

After taking several minutes to down her drink, Stephanie puts her phone back in her clutch, and picks up a chocolate croissant to start eating it. She tries to stand up and feels a little too wobbly, a serious case of 'too much too quickly' but she doesn't care. She feels good in her heels, she feels good at this level of intoxication, at last that's what she's thinking. The difference between feeling good and not feeling bad, it's a bit hazy at this point. When she finally steadies herself with the help of the table, she looks to both Maggi and Leon, and says, "Hey, when's the car coming?"

Hyacinth finishes dance number three, with Justin on arm. Aren't they just- wait are they on again or still off or... well they're decorative and having a really good time dancing cheek to cheek. That's the really important part here. Priorities. Decorative and also not stingy with the fun. The invitation comes by way of staring expectantly at the other half of her Team Rocket like well? Hand extends with sparkle black manicure flapping. "Well get your coat. We have horses and seats for four. There's drinks in the cart. Besides, you should spend New Year with family. Move your fancy ass. Meet you out front."

"My Christmas gift says I can control the locks, she who controls the locks, controls the house." Maggi only laughs louder as her own alcohol kicks in heavily, though she does place a savory bite before him, knowing it would clear the taste faster. She stands again, clearing empty glasses from the table and onto the tray out of habit. Maggi takes out her phone to check. "Two minutes, I'll close us out and Leon can walk you out. Girls in heels trying to steady each other is a train-wreck, pretty sure that is why men's shoes are flat." Maggi takes the tray to the bar, far more gracefully than she had to the table now that they were empty.

Leon sees Stephanie's wobble and reacts quickly. Sure, he had had some drinks, was getting into a buzz, but he was probably twice the weight of both these women, with the military career of drinking under his belt. He was on his feet smoothly and placing a hand lightly below Stephanie's forearm, the sort of gesture that didn't threaten personal space, but was ready to grab her if she pitched over. If she remained steady, and with Maggi's comment, he at least offers an elbow to be held. This was a classy establishment, see? He smirks, eyes briefly following Maggi as he waits to see what the brunette would do.

The first thing she does is grab her clutch. Then she attempts her first step forward unassisted, which seemed unsteady but okay. It was until the third step that Stephanie finally grabs the offered elbow. "My hero," she says playfully, her words slurring pretty strongly at this point, though the light in her eyes and her smile had long since faded.

At some point in there, Vyv's phone's quietly buzzed, and been drawn out to glance at. Whatever he sees gets an even smaller little shift of the corner of his mouth, and he looks up from it just as Hyacinth arrives to stare at him, as though he could somehow sense her approach. "My fancy ass has sworn off all movement for the occasion on general principle," he replies, deadpan, then flicks a glance down at the screen and tucks the phone away as he looks back to his partner in assessing-other's-crimes and her invitation. "...but I suspect it could be convinced your plan constitutes not moving. All right. Two minutes." He gives her upper arm a light touch, and heads off to where his coat -- and cane, top hat, and scarf, because we do not do things by halves -- have been checked for the duration of the proceedings, and within two minutes, he and they are indeed heading out of the building and toward this fabled carriage.

Leon brings that elbow in and his hand goes over Stephanie's, bracing moves, making sure she wasn't going over face-forward. A quick breath escapes his nose, a grin on his lips, "No one says that seriously." He lifts his chin to Maggi, then cocks his head toward the door, telling her he would go along first, Stephanie in tow. "You check a coat?" He wonders sideways as he leads the tipsy one toward the front entrance, trying to make sure nothing was forgotten in the hazy New Year celebration.

Stephanie simply nods, and fishes a piece of paper out of her purse in order to retrieve her coat before they leave. "Thanks."

Maggi follows out close behind, the Uber waiting outside and ready to take the drunkards home. All in all she was impressed with how well tonight had gone, something told her it had been magical for many. Just the way a new year in Gray Harbor should be.